Geert Wilders’ PVV party finished third in the Dutch elections, nearly tripling its seats in parliament from nine to 24.

As negotiations for a coalition government begin between the top-two finishing Liberal and Labour parties, Wilders is demanding a seat at the table.

“Nobody in The Hague can bypass the PVV anymore,” said Wilders. “We want to be part of the new government.”

The PVV’s success came in part at the expense of the Christian Democratic Action party, which slipped to fourth place with 21 seats and prompted party leader and prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende to resign after eight years.

Wilders’ trial for “inciting racial hatred against Muslims” begins in October.