Dutch coalition embraces Wilders

The Christian Democrat (CDA) party in the Netherlands has voted to cooperate with an anti-Islam party, removing another hurdle to forming a conservative Dutch government. At a convention in the city of Arnhem on Saturday, a 68 percent majority of the 5,000 CDA-members cast ballots in favor of working with the Freedom Party, although there was significant opposition. The Christian Democrats plan to join a minority cabinet led by the pro-business VVD party, with tacit support from Geert Wilders' anti-Islam Freedom party. The trio have announced a blueprint to curtail immigration and make major spending cuts. CDA members of parliament will make a final decision next week, with two party dissidents possibly still opposed. Maxime Verhagen, the CDA leader, said he was delighted by the result of the poll. "The convention showed clear support for the agreement with the VVD," he said.