Civil service documents show the previous coalition government, which involved Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam PVV in a supporting role, had an image problem abroad. Ministers said foreign governments understood that Wilders was not officially part of government. However, official papers show that ‘time after time’ diplomats wanted instructions on ‘how to avoid reputation damage as much as possible’ – for example, when Wilders published a new book. Often this did not work, the documents state.
Rob de Wijk, director of research institute HCCS and an expert on international relations, said this should be no surprise. He said, "WildersÂ’ position was impossible to explain abroad."
All the problems have not been solved now that Wilders is no longer part of the alliance. "He was a symbol of the way the Netherlands had turned in on itself," added de Wijk.
Former Dutch foreign minister Ben Bot told a television show last month The Netherlands can regain its previous influence in the world if the new government ditches its current ‘surly’ image. He said that over the past few years, the Netherlands has become known as the country which opposes everything. "Diplomacy with a smile and a soft voice" will put the Netherlands back on the map, Bot stated.