Geert Wilders went viral with a serieus probleem this week, and he wasn't alone. Dilan Yesilgöz saw her party cleft in two by the refugee crisis, Amsterdam's lights went out two days in a row and Schiphol airport delayed its plan to make flights less frequent for a third time. PSV Eindhoven's winning streak came to an end, while Ajax's new signing finally overcame the forces of Brexit. Paintballing with wolves was given the go-ahead in Gelderland. And we announce the winner of the highly coveted Ophef of the Year Awards.

While a toilet paper discount caused stampedes in Utrecht, Geert Wilders broke the coalition talks' radio silence for the first time this week. Not to say how happy he is that tart from his home province is now officially on an EU heritage list, but to say that the four parties have "a major problem" following the VVD senate faction's surprising vote in favor of the controversial spreading law, which is opposed by the VVD in the Tweede Kamer, but supported by the VVD in cabinet. The UK government calls on British nationals abroad to register for upcoming elections -- if they haven't been kicked out or forced to move due to ever-increasing rents. An unknown Nijmegen punk band turns out to be one of the biggest Dutch gigs on the international stage, Belgium has won the title of confiscating the most cocaine and the Dutch flower industry is falling victim of inflation and Brexit, just like Ajax that's unable to let their newest acquisition play just yet. One more week to vote for your favorite ophef and to win a special mug! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewPb7-Cjv0IhYf0pyCNFeVMnzK0t7x_uskCPg8PKHm-zyFow/viewform

The coalition talks resume with a teambuilding week at a country estate in Hilversum, where the four party leaders try to keep the media and the winter chill from the door. After months of rain, the sub-zero temperatures are welcomed by skaters, but the government's decision to pump extra gas from Groningen gets a frosty response. The International Court of Justice is called on to intervene in Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Marc Overmars's intimate selfies have a long tail as Fifa bans him from working in football around the world. And we bring you a story of nuclear intrigue and espionage involving a Dutch civil engineer in Iran. Vote here for the Ophef of the Year and win a mug: https://forms.gle/KLcZL8eZdv8rhUgo6

It's time again for our annual look back at the microscandals and minor squabbles that enjoyed 15 minutes or less of notoriety on social media. Do you remember the Roman sewage row, the Pokémon stampede, the Anne Frank Borrelplank or the penile solar panels? Almost certainly not, so let us clutter your memory once more. And don't forget to vote for the most distinguished dollop in the dung heap using our special form. Remember, under our transparently skewed voting system, Patreon supporters have the privilege of an extra vote and Grachtengordel subscribers get three. One "lucky" winner can look forward to receiving a unique DutchNews mug and a Zeesluis IJmuiden coaster. Vote here: https://forms.gle/R4cUo6oYoYWcfmoU6

The country can and must be governed, coalition scout Ronald Plasterk said after handing in his homework, but who wants to govern the country like this? Pieter Omtzigt still has serious doubts about the PVV's relationship with the constitution, Dilan Yesilgöz doesn't want the VVD to join a coalition and Caroline van der Plas is already fed up with all the bickering. Yesilgöz started a constitutional binfire in parliament when she called on the Senate to drop a migration law drawn up by her VVD colleague, Eric van der Burg, supported by the cabinet, including herself, and passed by the Tweede Kamer. Germany says a man from Rotterdam linked to Hamas was part of a Berlin-based plot to attack Jewish sites in Europe. Rembrandt's smallest portraits go on display in the Rijksmuseum after being authenticated. And we sign off for the holiday season by asking how many people will be getting coronavirus for Christmas, after hospitals report a surge in cases.

A new parliament is sworn in as coalition talks start. Tilburg's missing votes mystery is solved. The orange Lionesses win over the white ones. The government faces court over fighter jet part supply to Israel. Boris Johnson almost invaded the Netherlands. Amsterdam plans a huge circle party. Rotterdam's summer carnival becomes world heritage.

The process of forming a new government gets off to an inauspicious start when Geert Wilders's candidate to canvas the 15 parties turns out to have some undisclosed dodgy dealings. Geert can't find a partner, Pieter is bickering about the prenups, Dilan just wants to be friends and Caroline is urging them to give it another try. Away from the negotiations, asylum seekers get the right to work more than half the year and solve the housing crisis, while shopping bills continue to defy inflation. The most famous Dutch women's coach plots the downfall of her former charges with her new team across the North Sea. And we look at whether Amsterdam's campaign to purge British tourists from the red light district is paying off.

After the earthquake of Geert Wilders's election win, we pick our way through the rubble. Can the PVV form a coalition and where will Wilders find his team of ministers from? Or will it be a centrist cabinet with Frans Timmermans's PvdA-GL alliance? How many glasses of Prosecco will Vera Bergkamp need after meeting all 16 party leaders on Friday? And who will be the first to crack and phone Johan Remkes? Plus news of the Dutch football team's win against Gibraltar, higher traffic fines and a very good reason to avoid Tilburg if you still need one.

The podcast team reacts to what looks set to be the most dramatic election in the Netherlands for a generation. The NOS exit poll gives Geert Wilders's far-right PVV party 23% of the vote and a clear lead over its rivals. The VVD drops to third place behind the left-wing block of PvdA-GroenLinks and Pieter Omtzigt wins 20 seats three months after founding his party. We review the final week of the campaign, the game changing opinion polls, and ask the crucial question: what the hell happens now?

The three front runners are deadlocked as the election campaign enters its final days, all hoping a surge in support, a tactical shift or a last-minute gaffe will tip the balance their way. Mark Rutte takes time out from his busy schedule handing out flyers in Almere to measure up the curtains at Nato HQ. Away from the campaign, Schiphol's plans to cut flights are brought down under pressure from the US and the EU. Eurostar gains a potential rival and Parisians are offered the enticing prospect of a weekend in Groningen. And in sport, we manage to use the words "Ajax" and "triumph" in the same sentence.