Wilders pulls out of debate at last minute

PVV party leader Geert Wilders will not be taking part in RTL's debate tonight due to being sick. He will also not be sending a replacement to debate on behalf of the PVV, RTL reports. The PVV has been dealing with some integrity issues this week regarding a patronage hiring scandal involving Gelderland faction leader Marjolein Faber. Faber hired her son's company to work on the PVV's website, which had previously been managed free of charge. Gelderland's Procedure Committee, consisting of the faction leaders in the province, will be holding a hearing to deliberate on the issue next week. Wilders previously stated that he will not be demanding Faber's resignation. Wilders was one of 6 participants in RTL's election debate in preparation for the provincial elections on March 18th. The debate will continue with only 5 participants: Mark Rutte (VVD), Diederik Samsom (PvdA), Emile Roemer (SP), Alexander Pechtold (D66) and Sybrand Buma (CDA). RTL Nieuws' editor Pieter Klein expressed his regret that Wilders will not be participating in the debate, but stated that they have moved on to Plan B. "We have adapted the format and expect a nice first confrontation between the national main players." The debate will take place at 20:30 in the Rode Hoed in Amsterdam tonight. The thee main themes wll be the fight against terrorism, the financial crisis and the future of the government.