In shift to far right, populist Wilders wins Dutch election
built his own New Social Contract party in three months to take 20 seats, said he would always be open to talks. THE HAGUE, Netherlands “It will be a complicated — Anti-Islam populist Geert formation process. It is up Wilders said Thursday that to responsible politicians to he is ready to join the next form a government, one way Dutch coalition government or another,” Omtzigt said, after he surged to a huge elecaccording to Dutch news tion victory that marked a site Nu.nl. stunning lurch to the far right The party that finished for a nation once famed as a behind Wilders’ in the elecbeacon of tolerance. tion was an alliance of the
The result is sending center-left Labor Party and shockwaves through Europe, Green Left, which was forewhere extremist nationalist cast to win 25 seats. But its ideology is putting pressure leader, Frans Timmermans, on democracies that now made clear that Wilders face the possibility of havshouldn’t count on him as ing to deal with the first fara partner. right prime minister of the The historic victory came Netherlands. one year after the win of Ital
“It is going to happen that ian Premier Giorgia Meloni, the PVV is in the next Cabi- mosques or Islamic schools coalition to quit in July — and whose Brothers of Italy party net,” Wilders said, using the in the country, although he to tackle problems includ- had roots steeped in nostalDutch abbreviation for his has been milder about Islam ing the Netherlands’ cost- gia for fascist dictator Benito Party for Freedom. during this election cam- of-living crisis and housing Mussolini. Meloni has since
With nearly all votes paign than in the past. shortages. mellowed her stance on sevcounted, Wilders’ party was One of the most promiIn his victory speech, eral issues and has become forecast to win 37 seats in nent Muslim organizations Wilders said he wants to the acceptable face of the the 150-seat lower house of in the Netherlands said it end what he called the “asy- hard right in the EU. parliament, more than dou- had received emails express- lum tsunami,” referring to During the final weeks of ble the 17 the party secured ing support since the elec- the migration issue that came his campaign, Wilders somein the last election. tion result. to dominate his campaign. what softened his stance
Wilders got a standing ova“That’s reassuring,” the “The Dutch will be No. 1 and vowed that he would tion, cake and sparkling wine Contact Group Muslims again,” Wilders said. “The be a prime minister for all when he met his lawmakers and Government said in a people must get their nation Dutch people. at the parliament building statement. “In addition, Mr. back.” The election was called Thursday morning. Wilders has said that he will But to become prime min- after the fourth and final
“Can you imagine it? 37 become prime minister of ister of a country known for coalition of Mark Rutte, who seats!” he said to cheers. all Dutch people, regard- compromise politics, the resigned in July, failed to
Other political parties less of their religion, sex or politician sometimes called agree on measures to rein were holding separate meet- color. The Netherlands is a the “Dutch Donald Trump” in migration. He has been ings to discuss the election’s state governed by the rule must persuade other party in office for 13 years, makoutcome before what is likely of law and we trust that it is leaders to work with him ing him the Netherlands’ to be an arduous process tolerant country.” in a coalition government. longest-serving leader, and of forming a new governAlthough known for his That will be tough since plans to step down once a ing coalition begins Friday. harsh rhetoric, Wilders mainstream parties have new coalition government
Wilders’ election program began courting other con- long been reluctant to join is formed. included calls for a referen- servative and centrist par- forces with him and his Rutte was replaced as the dum on the Netherlands leav- ties by saying in a victory party, but the size of his vic- head of VVD by Dilan Yeşiling the European Union, a speech that whatever poli- tory strengthens his hand in göz-Zegerius, a former refutotal halt to accepting asy- cies he pushes will be “within any negotiations. gee from Turkey who could lum-seekers and migrant the law and constitution.” Wilders called on other have become the country’s pushbacks at Dutch borders. His victory appeared based parties to constructively first female prime minister
It also advocates the “de-Is- on his campaign to curtail engage in coalition talks. had her party won the most lamization” of the Nether- migration — the issue that Pieter Omtzigt, a former cen- votes. It was forecast to lose lands. He says he wants no caused the last governing trist Christian Democrat who 10 seats to end up with 24.
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