Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam populist Party for Freedom (PVV) in the Netherlands, often likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump due to his distinctive blonde hair and similar style, led his party to victory in the parliamentary elections on November 22. This win positions the PVV advantageously in forming the next Dutch coalition government.
To successfully form a government, Wilders needs to secure 76 out of the 150 seats in parliament, necessitating alliances with other parties. The PVV currently holds 37 seats, significantly outperforming the left-wing coalition led by former European Union Commissioner Frans Timmermans and other parties.
It remains unclear whether Wilders will garner enough support to form a coalition government. However, his victory has given hope to populists across Europe, with right-wing nationalists from various regions congratulating Wilders, indicating a gradual mainstreaming of European populism and far-right parties.
Wilders' Party for Freedom advocates for the de-Islamization of the Netherlands, an exit from the European Union, and a halt to immigration. In this election, Wilders adopted a more moderate stance towards Islam, expressing his belief in being a prime minister for all Dutch people, regardless of religion, gender, or skin color.
The left-wing coalition led by Timmermans, securing 25 seats and ranking second in the election, has clearly stated its unwillingness to associate with Wilders' Party for Freedom. Timmermans has committed to defending Dutch democracy and the rule of law, emphasizing equality for all in the Netherlands.
Dilan Yesilgöz's People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, which ranked third, has left the response to the election results to its entire membership. Prior to the election, Yesilgöz had insisted she would not serve in a cabinet led by Wilders, but did not rule out the possibility of cooperation if Wilders emerged victorious.
Pieter Omtzigt's New Social Covenant Party, which came in fourth, initially stated it would not work with Wilders. However, the party has since shifted its stance, suggesting it could translate the trust of its voters into action.
Both Yesilgöz and Omtzigt have congratulated Wilders on his victory.
Wilders' win has raised concerns among the Muslim community in the Netherlands. He has consistently labeled Islam as a "backward culture" and "fascist ideology," advocating for the prohibition of mosques, Islamic schools, and the Quran in the Netherlands, as well as the banning of Islamic headscarves in government buildings. Interestingly, Wilders' ancestry traces back to Indonesian immigrants, a country with the world's largest Muslim population. He has even emphasized his white, blond-haired, blue-eyed genetic traits.
Muhsin Köktas, head of the Dutch government's advisory body, expressed shock among the Muslim community at the election results, viewing the PVV's stance as a violation of the nation's fundamental principles of rule of law.
If Wilders succeeds in forming a government, he is expected to take a hardline stance on immigration and asylum policies. His campaign slogan, "Return the Netherlands to the Dutch," echoes Trump's "Make America Great Again" and Italian Prime Minister Meloni's "Italy and Italians First."
Last year, the number of refugees entering the Netherlands more than doubled, exceeding 220,000. The Dutch government's efforts to provide as much housing as possible for these groups have exacerbated the country's housing shortage. Jeroen Doomernik, a political science associate professor at the University of Amsterdam, noted that the influx of people is competing with local residents for limited resources in a country already facing a shortage of affordable housing, particularly in major cities.
Wilders has been urgent in addressing the immigration crisis, proposing the reinstatement of border controls, detention and deportation of illegal immigrants, and the introduction of work permits for workers within the EU.
Since 2004, Wilders has received death threats for his anti-immigration stance and has been under 24-hour police protection. In 2016, he was convicted of discrimination for referring to Moroccans as "scum" at a campaign rally.
On international issues, Wilders has taken a clear stance. He opposes Ukraine's entry into the EU and has repeatedly stated that the Netherlands should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. He is also a staunch supporter of Israel, advocating for the relocation of the Dutch embassy to Jerusalem and the closure of the diplomatic mission in Ramallah, Palestine.
The right-wing camp in Europe is gaining momentum. Last month, Poland's ruling right-wing Law and Justice Party came first in the parliamentary elections but failed to secure a majority in the lower house, missing the opportunity to form a government. The third and fourth-ranking parties also declined to support the Law and Justice Party, opting instead to form a coalition government with the second-largest party, the Civic Platform. This initially dampened the spirits of Europe's far-right camp.
However, Wilders' victory in the Netherlands has reignited hope among Europe's right-wing parties. Overall, far-right parties in Europe are gaining strength in elections and social activities. In Finland, Italy, Germany, and Belgium, support for far-right parties has steadily increased. The leader of Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Weidel, believes that all of Europe is hoping for a political turnaround, as evidenced by the party's surging support in a recent poll, ranking second nationally with about 20% support, double its rate during the 2021 federal election. Slovakia has also turned towards populism, with Robert Fico's Direction - Social Democracy party winning the parliamentary election on September 30 and forming a coalition government with extreme nationalist parties.
Analysts note that each far-right party in Europe has its unique characteristics, backed by varying cultures and political systems. However, the factors driving their continued expansion are largely similar. Long-standing opposition to liberal immigration policies, Islam, and the European Union have been primary reasons for their support. Recently, sensitive issues such as cultural conflicts, minority rights, and the climate crisis have further strengthened these parties.
The European Parliament is set to hold elections in June next year, with center-right and right-wing political forces expected to play a more significant role. Hans Kundnani, a European politics analyst at Chatham House, observes that the past decade has seen a merging of center-right and far-right in Europe, a shift that could have profound implications for the EU.
