In setback, Wilders' first post-election appointee quits

Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party Geert Wilders reacts as he meets the press as Dutch parties' lead candidates meet for the first time after elections, in which far-right politician Geert Wilders booked major gains, to begin coalition talks in The Hague, Netherlands, November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/ File Photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -The person named by Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders as a "scout" to look into viable governing coalitions after elections in which his party won the most seats abruptly resigned on Monday.

The swift departure of Gom van Strien, appointed on Friday, underlines the difficulties ahead for coalition talks as Wilders seeks to form a government with himself as prime minister.