All four have signalled that they are willing to work together in a different form: a cabinet that includes political outsiders. Choosing this construction, rather than a traditional majority coalition, would create more distance between the cabinet and the parliament, said Simon Otjes, an assistant professor of Dutch politics at Leiden University.

One way or another, the other parties in the coalition would have to find a way to work with Wilders’ party.

“And don’t forget: I will still become the prime minister of the Netherlands.”

Geert Wilders

It is too soon to know who will become the Netherlands’ new prime minister, but it could be an experienced former politician who would advance a right-wing agenda. Wilders will continue to serve as his party’s leader in the House of Representatives.

His decision is a gesture towards the other parties, said Janka Stoker, a professor of leadership and organisational change at the University of Groningen. “You could call it a gesture of leadership.”

Wilders won national elections convincingly in November. Taking 37 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives, a high number considering a party system that rests on consensus and coalition building.

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Wilders, who founded his Party for Freedom in 2006, is one of the country’s best-known politicians and the longest-sitting MPs. He has served since 1998. For about two decades, he has been a fixed member of the opposition.

Wilders has said he wants to end immigration from Muslim countries, tax headscarves and ban the Koran. He has called Moroccan immigrants “scum”.

While he has declined to step away from prior comments, Wilders has pledged he will respect the Dutch Constitution during coalition negotiations and has said he will put some of his most controversial – and unconstitutional – plans on hold since the November election.

Negotiations about forming the next government will continue in the coming weeks and months, and experts warn that a lot can still happen.

“It remains speculative,” Stoker said. “But in the current situation, this is a breakthrough.”

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A few hours after announcing that he would step away, Wilders kept the hopes alive for any supporters who might have been disappointed with his announcement.

“And don’t forget: I will still become the prime minister of the Netherlands,” he wrote. “With the support of even more Dutch people. If not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow.”