Wilders, the far-right who has won the elections in the Netherlands and who wants to ban mosques and the Koran

2023-11-23 16:36:48

Known for his characteristic platinum blonde hairstyle and his aggressive rhetoric against Islam and immigration, Geert Wilders has been catapulted by the elections in the Netherlands to the place he likes to occupy most: the center of attention.

In a political earthquake, Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) becomes the leading force in Parliament with 37 seats (20 more than in the 2021 elections) – the absolute majority is 76 -. The results pave the way for the politician to play a key role in forming the next government after an election dominated by the immigration debate.

Since described islam as “an ideology of a backward culture” and called Moroccans “scum,” Wilders, who is often compared to former US President Donald Trump for his inflammatory rhetoric and use of social media, has long been a prominent element in the panorama of the European extreme right.

Born in 1963 in southern Venlo, near the German border, Wilders grew up in a Catholic family with his brother and two sisters. He entered politics as a member of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), but left over what he considered the party’s soft stance on Islam and immigration.

In 2004 he founded the Freedom Party (PVV), whose core is anti-Islam policies. Wilders stated that his disdain for Islam was fueled by murder of filmmaker radical Theo van Gogh in 2004 and his stay in Israel in a kibbutz.

Despite being a media politician, Wilders’ star seemed to have faded in recent years with the emergence of younger far-right figures in the Netherlands, such as Thierry Baudet, whose nationalist Forum for Democracy emerged as the leading force with a 15% in the 2019 regional elections.

But Wilders’ continued presence in Dutch politics – as well as the increasingly heated debate over immigration in the Netherlands – appears to have finally struck a chord with a broader group.

In the run-up to the election, Wilders has also sought to soften some of his more divisive Islamophobic rhetoric, hinting that he might withdraw his proposed ban on mosques and the Koran, a move his critics decried as opportunistic.

Instead, he has focused on growing economic concerns, promising to solve the housing crisis and tackle inflation, while portraying climate action as a new form of tyranny by The Hague.

Still, some of the more extreme measures it proposes – such as restoring border control, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants and reintroducing work permits for intra-EU workers – would radically change the DNA of the Netherlands.

In kyiv, which faces growing Western war fatigue, the results will be greeted with concern. Like other far-right leaders on the continent, Wilders has praised Vladimir Putin’s government, speaking out against what he has described as “hysterical Russophobia” in Europe.

Four years after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, Wilders traveled to Moscow and met with senior Russian officials in the Duma, a trip that was fiercely condemned by relatives of the Dutch victims of the downing of flight MH17, who blamed him. of ignoring Moscow’s role in the catastrophe.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Wilders has distanced himself somewhat from the Kremlin, calling the invasion a mistake.

But a government led by Wilders is unlikely to play the same role in helping Ukraine as that long played by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who led efforts to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Kiev.

In one of the last pre-election debates, Wilders said he would not support sending more weapons to Ukraine, a statement that will send shivers through the country as military aid already appears to be flagging.

Much will now depend on what is likely to be a protracted coalition-building process, as both GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans and the head of the conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, They have ruled out a Wilders government.

But in an early victory for Wilders, Pieter Omtzigt, leader of the centrist NSC party, indicated he was open to working with the PVV.

What seems certain is that, after six elections, Wilders is closer to power than ever. “It will be hard work, but we are prepared to govern,” he said when the first results were known. “It is the most beautiful day of my political life.”

Translation of Javier Biosca

“The Netherlands is not an Islamic country: no Islamic schools, mosques or Korans.” “Exit EU migration and asylum regulations and cancel the UN Refugee Convention.” “The PVV puts an end to discrimination against the Dutch. “We put the Netherlands first.” “We will hold a referendum on Nexit [salida de la UE]” “We want less Islam and we want to achieve it with less non-Western immigration and a general freeze on asylum” “Ban on dual nationality.” “Reestablishment of borders and returns of asylum seekers who want to enter the Netherlands from safe neighboring countries.” “Withdraw temporary asylum permits from Syrians because parts of Syria are safe.” “Introduce work permits for community nationals.” “The police have to be the boss on the streets again. “Our police are no longer hampered by politically correct police chiefs who care above all about inclusion and diversity.” “We have been made to fear climate change for decades even though the predicted disaster scenarios have not come true. We have to stop being afraid. The climate always changes and with changing circumstances, we adapt.” “The Climate Law, the Climate Agreement and all other climate measures go directly through the shredder.” “Municipalities are not cooperating with gender measures, climate madness and diversity nonsense.” “There will be no information from the Government in Arabic or Turkish.” “End funding for public radio and television.” “Move the Netherlands embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.” “No more Minister for Development Aid.” “No to the EU flag on government buildings. “We are in the Netherlands and only the national flag flies here.”