Dutch MP Hero Brinkman has announced he is breaking ranks with Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party over a lack of internal democracy. As a result, the government’s support in parliament has been weakened, but Brinkman said he will not withdraw his support for Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s minority coaliton.

“All my attempts to democratise the party have failed. I disagree with the Freedom Party strategy and I disapprove of the way the party writes people off,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Brinkman was critical of the complaints website launched by his party, which invited criticism of Central and East European labour migrants. “Labour migration is legal, and if you have complaints about crime you should go to the police.” 

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RNW