The Dutch Farmers Party, which secured a surprise seven seats in last year’s election is no closer to power after coalition talks stalled.

The success of the Farmer Citizen Movement Party (BBB) was overshadowed by controversial figure Geert Wilders’ shock result when his Freedom Party secured 37 of the 150 seats.

READ MORE | Wilders' win overshadows rise of Dutch farmer’s party

The BBB is one of four parties around the negotiating table to form a new ruling coalition, but a potential deal fell apart when one of the party leaders, Pieter Omtzigt walked out.

Taking to social media, Mr Wilders said: “Incredibly disappointing. The Netherlands wants this cabinet and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel while we were still in discussions until today. I don’t understand it at all.”

Former Labour Party government minister Ronald Plasterk will write a report that is expected to be debated in parliament before any decision is taken on how to proceed, but if new efforts to form a government fail, the country could face a new election.

Founded in 2019, BBB has grown in popularity, giving a strong performance in the provincial elections last year.

The party is deemed ‘Eurosceptic’ by many and calls for a ‘realistic policy’ where ‘the countryside has a future’.

READ MORE | We're envious of Dutch farmers' political coup

Its electoral success moved it away from being a party of protest against the government’s environmental policies and into a position of influence.

Anger has been growing in the countryside across the Netherlands against moves to slash nitrogen-based emissions by half by 2030, with livestock farmers a key part of the process. Agriculture accounts for some 46% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The BBB attracted international attention when farmers carried out a range of protests including blockading roads, setting fire to hay bales near roads, and dumping manure on main roads.

Last year, protests by farmers outside the home of the country’s agriculture minister were condemned by the then Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte. He said: “So don’t block highways, don’t set off fireworks outside a minister’s house and spread manure and … scare two children, and endanger families.”

Some farmers in Scotland have called for a similar party to be established as concern about the green agenda and perceived threats to traditional rural livelihoods grows.