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The Freedom Party (PVV), a far-right party led by Geert Wilders, won 37 out of 150 seats after almost complete results. However, he is anything but certain that he can govern.
Published on November 23rd, 2023 11:20 am Updated on November 23rd, 2023 12:08 am
Reading time: 5 mins
Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders celebrates his party’s arrival at the top in the Dutch general elections on November 22, 2023 in Scheveningen. (REMKO DE WAAL / ANP MAG / AFP)
The extreme right is on the rise in Europe. In the Netherlands, the Freedom Party (PVV), an anti-Islam group, came first in the parliamentary elections on Wednesday, November 22, according to polls. The PVV “can no longer be ignored,” welcomed party founder and political leader Geert Wilders. The right-wing extremist politician in the Netherlands called on other parties to form a coalition together.
Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the fall of the government in July following several “irreconcilable” disagreements over immigration. He then declared that he wanted to leave politics after more than thirteen years at the helm of the Netherlands. Who will succeed him after these general elections? Franceinfo answers five questions about the election and its consequences.
1 What are the results?
According to nearly complete results released Thursday morning, the Freedom Party won 37 of 150 seats. It previously had 16 seats in the second chamber of the Estates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the equivalent of the National Assembly.
The ongoing alliance of Frans Timmermans (left ecologists) (+8) is in second place with 25 seats. The People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the ruling center-right party, received only 24 seats (-10). Their allies (the social liberals of the D66 and the Christian Democrats of the CDA) also suffered a setback
Finally, the young “New Social Contract” party led by Pieter Omtzigt from the Christian Democratic movement received 20 seats according to these results, which were broadcast by the public radio and television NOS.
2 Who is Geert Wilders?
Geert Wilders has been a member of parliament since 1998 and founded the Freedom Party in 2006. The far-right elected official is sometimes referred to as the “Dutch Trump.” He has built his career on Islamophobia, fighting what he sees as an “Islamic invasion” from the West. He has already suggested Prophet Mohammed cartoon competitions and called Moroccans “scum.”
The Dutchman has had several run-ins with the law. In particular, he was found guilty of insulting the Moroccan people. He has been living under police protection since 2004 due to death threats against him.
During the election campaign, Geert Wilders toned down his Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric, leading analysts to nickname him “Geert Milders” (Geert the Gentle). For example, the elected official focused more on the cost of living issue.
3 What does his far-right party propose?
Nevertheless, Islamophobia remains at the heart of the FPÖ’s program. “The Netherlands is not an Islamic country: no Muslim schools, Korans and mosques,” explains the party, which also calls for “a ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf in government buildings.” The PVV assures that “with a reduction in influx.” [des demandeurs] Asylum and immigration to the Netherlands will also reduce the Islamization of the country.
When it comes to immigration, the right-wing extremist party is calling for an “asylum stop” and a “generally more restrictive immigration policy” as well as an exception to European regulations on this issue. The party intends to reintroduce controls at the Dutch borders. Syrians with temporary asylum permits could have their permits revoked because “parts of Syria are now safe.” The PVV manifesto adds that the number of foreign students will be reduced if the party comes to power.
The movement also wants to propose a “binding referendum” on “Nexit”, the possible exit of the Netherlands from the European Union. He aims for “a sovereign Netherlands, a Netherlands that is responsible for its own currency, its own borders and sets its own rules.”
The party also represents climate-skeptical positions and calls for greater oil and gas production from the North Sea. He also wants coal and gas power plants to stay open.
4 Can Geert Wilders rule?
To govern, a coalition needs 76 of the 150 seats in the lower house of the Dutch parliament. Geert Wilders is still a long way from being fit to govern. Before the elections, the leaders of the three other major parties had assured that they would not take part in a coalition led by the Freedom Party.
Labor Party leader Frans Timmermans immediately rejected the idea of joining a Geert-Wilders coalition. “It’s time we defend democracy,” he said. The candidate from Mark Rutte’s party (VVD), Dilan Yesilgöz, caused controversy by agreeing to govern with Geert Wilders’ party. She then rejected the idea of forming a government in which he would be prime minister.
Popular Pieter Omtzigt said he was “available” to lead the Netherlands. At the same time, he assured that the process would not be “easy”.
5 What are the reactions in Europe?
The president of the National Rally Group in the National Assembly, Marine Le Pen, congratulated Geert Wilders and his party on “their spectacular performance” in the Dutch parliamentary elections. A result “that confirms the growing attachment to the defense of national identities,” she explained on Far added – right deputy.
congratulations to @geertwilderspvv and to the PVV for its spectacular performance in the parliamentary elections, which confirms the growing commitment to defending national identities. Because there are people who refuse to see the national torch go out, the hope is…
– Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) November 22, 2023
Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban also welcomed the PVV results in the Netherlands. “The winds of change are here,” he assures us.
Matteo Salvini, a representative of Italy’s far right, called Geert Wilders a “friend” and declared that a “new Europe” was possible after the Dutchman’s success. “The whole of Europe wants political change,” said Alice Weidel of the German far-right Alternative for Germany party.