“Geert Wilders’ surprising victory alters Dutch and European political landscapes.”
The right-wing, anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders appeared set for a substantial victory in the parliamentary elections, marking a significant upset in Dutch politics since World War II. This outcome is poised to reverberate throughout Europe. Wilders’ Party for Freedom secured 35 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, a notable increase from the 17 seats won in the previous election. Official final results were awaited, expected the following day.
Wilders’ election agenda entails proposals for a referendum on the Netherlands’ departure from the European Union, a complete cessation of asylum-seeker admissions, and strict border controls for migrants. Additionally, his platform advocates for the “de-Islamization” of the Netherlands, although Wilders adopted a comparatively tempered approach towards Islam in this election campaign compared to his previous rhetoric.
Wilders attributed his success to voters expressing fatigue and frustration, asserting a commitment to halt what he termed the “asylum tsunami,” addressing the dominant migration issue in his campaign. He proclaimed a desire for the Dutch people to reclaim their position as the foremost priority.
However, forming a coalition government remains a challenge for Wilders, given the reluctance of mainstream parties to align with his hard-right stance. Despite this, the magnitude of his victory bolsters his negotiating position in potential coalition talks.
Other parties, such as Pieter Omtzigt’s New Social Contract party and an alliance between the center-left Labor Party and Green Left, expressed varying degrees of openness or resistance to forming a coalition with Wilders’ party. Frans Timmermans of the latter alliance made it clear that collaborating with Wilders was off the table due to fundamental disagreements on asylum seekers.
Wilders, aiming to broaden his appeal, assured that his actions would conform to the law and constitution, attempting to court right and center parties. This pivotal win mirrors a trend of populist and hard-right victories across Europe, similar to the ascent of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s party with its roots in fascist nostalgia.
Wilders, recognized for his staunch anti-Islam, anti-EU, and anti-migrant stance, had never ascended to power in a nation known for its consensus-driven politics. However, his triumph received prompt congratulations from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his uncompromising migration policies and push towards an “illiberal” state.
In the final stages of his campaign, Wilders softened his tone, aiming to present himself as a unifying figure, earning the nickname Geert “Milders.” The election, called in the aftermath of Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s coalition collapse over migration policy disagreements, witnessed the rise of Wilders despite expectations of a closely contested race.
This outcome contributes to the ongoing transformation of the European political landscape, with hard-right parties experiencing varying degrees of success across different member nations.
