Far-Right Leader Geert Wilders Wins Dutch Election: Exit Poll – Politico

SCHEVENINGEN, Netherlands — Geert Wilders, the anti-Islamic radical and Eurosceptic, is expected to be the surprise winner of the Dutch election.

In a dramatic result that will shock European politics, his Freedom Party is set to win about 35 of the 150 seats in parliament – ​​more than double the number it won in the 2021 election, according to opinion polls.

The Labor-Greens alliance led by Frans Timmermans is expected to come in second place, gaining 25 seats – a big jump from the current 17 seats. Dylan Yeşilgoz, successor to outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte as head of the centre-right party, has suffered heavy losses on his way. For 24 seats, 10 fewer than before, according to the updated Ipsos exit poll for national broadcaster NOS.

Wilders’ victory will put the Netherlands on the right path – perhaps – towards a radical shift in direction, after Rutte’s four successive centrist governments. But the question now is whether any other parties are willing to join Wilders to form a coalition. Despite emerging as the largest party, it will struggle to gain an overall majority in Parliament.

To the music of the movie Rocky, Eye of the Tiger, Wilders welcomed his supporters in a café on the Dutch coast with a broad smile. “Voters spoke tonight and said they are fed up,” he added. “We will make sure that Dutch voters get priority again.”

Wilders added that the party wants to work to curb the “asylum tsunami”, put more money in people’s wallets and improve security.

He extended his hand to the other parties, declaring that it was time to work together to find solutions. Wilders even indicated that he would be willing to compromise his anti-Muslim principles in order to enter government. He said: “I understand very well that the parties do not want to be in government with a party that wants unconstitutional measures.” We will not talk about mosques, Qur’ans, and Islamic schools.”

the next?

Wilders’ anti-Islam rhetoric was a clear part of the Freedom Party’s program for the government. The party proposed banning mosques and the Qur’an, and banning Islamic headscarves in government buildings. Wilders is also a hard-line Eurosceptic and has called for a so-called “exit” referendum on leaving the European Union. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was quick to congratulate Wilders. Write on X“The winds of change have blown!”

“This exit poll is historic. “It is the biggest transformation we have ever seen in the Netherlands,” political scientist Tom van der Meer told national radio NOS.

According to Van der Meer, there are three things that might explain Wilders’ unexpected victory. “First, we have had a central treasury for 11 years. In response, voters went mainly to the wards. Second, immigration was a big topic and voters quickly think of the Freedom Party when they think of this issue. Finally, VVD leader Yeşilgoz opened the door to the VVD “For Freedom as a coalition partner. In the Netherlands, people have long been looking for a party that is more outspoken than the VVD, but capable of governing. Now that the door to the Freedom Party is open, they have found it.”

Although Wilders won a majority of seats, it is unlikely that he will end up as prime minister.

Yesilgoz said on Tuesday that she had ruled out supporting Wilders as prime minister if he won the majority share. Peter Omtzgut, whose newly formed party is expected to win 20 seats, had previously ruled out joining Wilders at all, saying his anti-Islam policies conflict with the freedoms of expression and religion enshrined in the Dutch constitution. Timmermans also positioned himself firmly against supporting Wilders.

Wilders’ Party for Freedom held its campaign party in a small café in Scheveningen, a beach town adjacent to The Hague. Cheers erupted in the cramped hall when the first opinion poll was announced.

The result was a huge shock to Freedom Party officials as well. The place was booked just three days ago after Wilders posted an unexpected surge in the polls.

The Green Left coalition led by Timmermans gathered to watch the results in a large venue in Amsterdam’s Westerpark.

Loud cheers filled the main room as the VVD’s losses were announced, along with the alliance’s expected gains.

But then, the hall was filled with talk of Wilders’ victory.

Hold each other tight

Jesse Klavier, leader of the Green Party in the Dutch Parliament, was the first to take to the stage in Amsterdam to loud applause. He said he was “shocked” by the result. “We have always stood for the rule of law and this will be needed more than ever in the future.”

Timmermans spoke after Klavier. While congratulating Wilders on his victory, Timmermans targeted his far-right party, vowing that he would “never enter into a coalition with a party that excludes the Dutch.”

Timmermans began his speech by asking his audience to hold on tight to each other, because “in the Netherlands we never give up on anyone.” He added: “Let us join hands against exclusion.”

He admitted that he was disappointed with the result, and “also our result.” “Now is the time to stand up for democracy,” Timmermans added.

About an hour after the first exit poll dropped, Yeşilgoz spoke to her party colleagues and admitted that the result was not what they expected.

I think there are big lessons for politicians on this. People were not listened to enough, and not enough practical solutions were provided. Lead is not with us now. “But I am so proud of the party and all of you,” she added.

She ended her short speech thanking her team and supporters, and left the stage to the sound of “Dance the Night” by singer Dua Lipa, followed by “Wake me Up” by singer Avicii.

Umtsigt responded enthusiastically to the “great results” of the first exit poll. Speaking to his supporters, he said he wanted to be in the next government, but acknowledged that it would not be “easy” and would require politicians to step beyond their shadow. “The Netherlands must be governed and we are ready for that.” Umtsigt had previously ruled out joining Wilders. His comments did not specify which parties he would be willing to work with.

Peter Hayek reported from Amsterdam and Jakob Hanke Vila from The Hague.

This story is being updated.