In one of the biggest upsets in Dutch politics, this far-right politician who has been called the “Dutch Donald Trump” has won the the Netherlands’ election.
PVV leader Geert Wilders seen during the debate in the Tweede Kamer lower house on the final report of informateur Johan Remkes on the cabinet formation. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
60-year-old Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom unexpectedly won the most votes in the general election on Wednesday Nov. 22.
Geert Wilders leader of the Party for Freemdom (PVV) casting his vote in the city hall. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
Wilders, who founded the party in 2006, is against Islam, immigration and the European Union.
Demonstrators during a ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ Protest on Whitehall in London. via Getty Images
He ran on a campaign of removing Islamic schools, Qurans and mosques, stopping all refugees and migrants from entering the Netherlands, and holding a referendum for the country to leave the EU.
Pakistani Islamists shout anti-Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders slogans during a protest rally in Karachi. (Photo credit should read RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP via Getty Images)
But in the lead up to the election, he has softened his language around his anti-Islam beliefs, saying he would not breach Dutch laws and the constitution that protects the right to freedom of religion and expression.
Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), sits next to Dutch MP Fleur Agema (L) as he delivers a speech at a post-election meeting at the Nieuwspoort conference centre after his party’s victory in yesterday’s general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Due to his controversial views, Wilders has had to be protected at all times by police since 2004.
PVV Candidate, Geert Wilders speaks to the crowd, hands out pamphlet or flyers and pses for selfies on his election campaign near Van Coothplein on March 8, 2017 in Breda, Netherlands.
In 2008, he was labeled a persona non grata – an “undesirable person” – and banned from entering the UK over extremism.
Geert Wilders (R) of the Party for Freedom (PVV) arrives at the court of Schiphol, the Netherlands. (Photo credit should read ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2014, Wilders was found guilty of inciting hatred and discrimination against Moroccan migrants at an election rally.
A protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the victory of Geert Wilders and his PVV party in yesterday’s Dutch general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)Dutch far-right politician and the founder and leader of the Party for Freedom Geert Wilders speaks to members of the public on February 19, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.
That verdict was partially overturned in 2020, but he was still found guilty of insulting Moroccans by leading his supporters in anti-Moroccan chants.
Dutch anti-Islam deputy Geert Wilders (R) sits next to his lawyer Bram Moszkowicz in the courtroom in Amsterdam. (Photo credit should read Koen van Weel/AFP via Getty Images)
Wilders has rejected being labeled as far-right, saying he is just “speaking up for ordinary people”.
Dutch leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) Geert Wilders poses for a selfie photograph with a supporter during his campaign in Almere. (Photo credit should read JEROEN JUMELET/AFP via Getty Images)
Instead, Wilders’ victory seems to have been based on his campaign to curb migration and tackle the cost-of-living crisis and housing shortages – key issues for Dutch people, according to AP.
Thousands of people gathered this Saturday, at the Dam square in the center of Amsterdam during a demonstration against racism and discrimination. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto)
His election comes as a shock to the Netherlands, which has widely been regarded as one of Europe’s most socially liberal countries.
A protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the victory of Geert Wilders and his PVV party in yesterday’s Dutch general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Having won 37 out of 150 seat government, Wilders must now form a coalition in order to rule. If he succeeds, he will become the first far-right prime minister of the Netherlands.
A protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the victory of Geert Wilders and his PVV party in yesterday’s Dutch general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
