Wilders: Dutch coalition talks ignore his 1.3 million voters

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2016 file photo, populist anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders prepares to address judges at the high-security court near Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, during his hate-speech trial that pits freedom of expression against the Netherlands' anti-discrimination laws. Wilders said on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, that political parties discussing the make-up of the next Dutch ruling coalition are shutting him out and sidelining 1.3 million people who voted for his party in last week’s parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this March 13, 2017 file photo, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, right, and right-wing populist leader Geert Wilders, get their microphones installed prior to a national televised debate in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Wilders said on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, that political parties discussing the makeup of the next Dutch ruling coalition are shutting him out and sidelining 1.3 million people who voted for his party in last week’s parliamentary election. (Yves Herman/Pool via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders says political parties discussing the make-up of the next Dutch ruling coalition are shutting him out and sidelining 1.3 million people who voted for his party in last week's parliamentary elections.

Wilders spoke Wednesday after meeting with caretaker Health Minister Edith Schippers, who is holding talks this week about which parties should be involved in discussions to form the next government. Following last week's vote, at least four parties will have to join forces to command a majority in the 150-seat lower house of Parliament.

Two-term Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party won the most seats and is expected to lead the next coalition. Wilders' Party for Freedom came second, but Rutte and the leader of the Christian Democrats have ruled out working with him.