Dutch far-right, anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is yet to successfully form a government over seven months since his Freedom Party (PVV) won elections in the country.
In the latest blow, his efforts to appoint an Israeli-born lawmaker as minister were thwarted by a security investigation.
Although his party emerged as the frontrunner in the November 2023 elections, Wilders has faced several setbacks to form a coalition government, entering a period of decline before coming to power.
The deterioration was worsened by the resignation of former Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk, tasked with forming the government, the withdrawal of a bill banning Islamic expressions, and after his party's Israeli-born member of parliament Gidi Markuszower failed to pass a security probe.
His search for alliance partners with other far-right parties following European Parliament elections earlier this month have also been unsuccessful.
As it stands, the November 2023 election was the peak in Wilders' political career, built on Islamophobia and support for Israel.
However, the chaotic past seven months have cost him support, pushing his party back to second place in the Netherlands' recent European elections.
The Wilders-led PVV won 37 seats with 23.5% of votes in the early general elections on Nov. 22, 2023.
His efforts to form a right-wing coalition government have not yet come to fruition. The coalition would include the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) led by Dilan Yesilgoz, which came third with 24 seats; the New Social Contract (NSC) led by Pieter Omtzigt, which came fourth with 20 seats; and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) led by Caroline van der Plas, which came sixth with seven seats.
Many of those who Wilders preferred to join the coalition government had to withdraw or were forced to resign for various reasons.
Plasterk, tipped to become prime minister in Wilders' right-wing government, was appointed to explore coalition options but failed. He withdrew from candidacy on May 20 after a scandal related to income from a cancer treatment patent came to light.
Wilders expressed regret over the move, saying he believed Plasterk would have made an excellent prime minister despite the fraud allegations.
PVV Senator Gom van Strien, another of Wilders' candidates, was also involved in irregularities and scandals.
Before Plasterk, van Strien was tasked with forming the government but had to resign without holding a single meeting with coalition candidate parties.
He withdrew from the position following allegations of misconduct at a subsidiary of Utrecht University Hospital, where he was a director until 2009.
The Financial Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) searched van Strien's home last month.
He became the shortest-serving official tasked with forming a government in Dutch history.
Even before the November elections, numerous officials within Wilders' party were implicated in racism or corruption cases.
Emil Smeding, a PVV council member of Delfzijl Municipality, resigned in 2018 after commenting "Extinguish with gasoline" on a Facebook news post about a fire at the Ter Apel asylum application center, while Wilders dismissed Geza Hegedus another PVV member from Rotterdam, for racism.
Michael Heemels, a spokesperson for the PVV, was convicted in 2016 for embezzling party funds, while council member Rene Eekhuis was expelled for transferring party funds to his personal account.
The latest candidate Wilders had to withdraw was the PVV deputy Gidi Markuszower, who was proposed for migration and asylum minister.
Wilders, who has frequently visited Israel and expressed his affinity for the country, had to withdraw Markuszower's candidacy.
The Dutch media reported that the deputy failed a security investigation due to his close ties to Israel and its notorious intelligence agency, Mossad.
Wilders announced on his X account that he withdrew Markuszower's candidacy due to the content of the investigation.
The PPV leader overlooked Markuszower's failure in the security probe by allowing him to remain in the party and planned for him to serve as deputy prime minister in the government.
Known for his friendship with Israel and supporting Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza conflicts, Wilders recently expressed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has applied for an arrest warrant.
