Sunday, November 26, 2023

‘They Feel They Are Being Neglected’: Why Voters Turned to ‘Dutch Trump’ Geert Wilders

THE OBSERVER: In a pretty waterside town, residents applaud the veteran rightwinger’s stance on immigration, calling his success a ‘vote against the established order’

PVV leaders Geert Wilders is riding a wave of concern about immigration, housing and the cost of living. Photograph: Remko de Waal/ANP/AFP/Getty Images

In a shopping centre in Volendam, a fishing port north of Amsterdam, on Friday, there was satisfaction about far-right politician Geert Wilders having dominated last Wednesday’s Dutch elections. “It’s a really good thing,” said Pieter, who didn’t want to give a last name. “There’s a shortage of houses, people are still coming. The borders have to shut.”

In pretty Volendam, long a Wilders stronghold, the Party for Freedom (PVV) won 18.6% of votes. The jaws of politicians, political scientists and Wilders himself dropped open when early forecasts suggested a win of 37 seats – around a quarter of parliament and his largest share ever.

This blond politician sometimes called “the Dutch Trump” and known for his inflammatory comments on Islam, a criminal record for insulting Dutch Moroccans and being refused entry to Britain, has shocked the nation. According to provisional results, the veteran MP, who lives with 24-hour security after receiving death threats, is riding a wave of concern about immigration, housing, the cost of living and mistrust in governments after a string of scandals.

In a nearby cafe, Arjen, 57, said: “It’s a vote against the established order. They have made a mess of things.”



The Netherlands is known for low corruption, press freedom and moderation, but for the past two decades another current has been present: support for far-right parties. Anti-Islam Pim Fortuyn, murdered just before elections in 2002, created an eponymous party that won 26 seats and took part in government before falling apart. The far-right Forum for Democracy did well in provincial elections and became the biggest party in the Senate in 2019 before meeting a similar fate. According to Prof Tom Louwerse of Leiden University’s Institute of Political Science, the Dutch far right has polled on average 15% to 20% for the past decade. » | Senay Boztas in Volendam | Saturday, November 25, 2023

Geert Wilders is right about the dangers of Islam to the West, but he is wrong about Nexit.

Anyone who is not fearful of the growth of Islam in the West is either a naïve fool or is not paying attention. I have been warning about the dangers of Islam for very many years; for about thirty years to be more precise. I was warning of the dangers of Islam to the West back in the 90s! I have written a book on the dangers of Islam to the West — The Dawning of a New Dark Age — and I have blogged on the dangers of the religion/way of life for more than twenty years. This blog was originally called A New Dark Age Is Dawning. So, let me be absolutely clear: Islam IS a danger to our Western way of life. So don’t be too quick to condemn Geert Wilders! He is right on this matter. He is more extreme than I am. I am not far right; my politics is moderate. But being moderate and liberal does not mean that I am unaware of the dangers of Islam to the way of life I was raised to enjoy; and to the way of life most of you people were raised to enjoy, too.

Unless one has lived in an Islamic country, it really is difficult to explain clearly what is at stake here, to draw people attention to the dangers we face.

Having contact with the Islamic world has cost me dear. I went to the Middle East, to Saudi Arabia, to make money, but I lost money there! I left there having been cheated out of even the money the system owed me. Saudi Arabia pays gazillions to sports stars sports-washing. I wish they’d pay me back the millions they owe me first! I have suffered greatly as a result of what was done to me by the system.

Islam is tightening its grip on the West. It is subtle, but it is happening. However, our politicians are letting it happen; and in so doing, they are letting us down. The Conservatives are every bit as bad as the Socialists. Show both sides a few bob, and blind eyes are turned! And this is one of the main reasons why islam is gaining ground. Muslims know that Westerners will prostitute themselves and sell off all assets to make a quick buck. Preserving their heritage means nothing to them, especially when money can be made. Muslims, however, are different. Muslims love money, of course; but the proliferation of Islam and growing the influence of their prophet must always come first. Put simply, that is one of the main reasons why the Islamic world is far stronger than the so-called Judæo-Christian West.

Wake up! – © Mark Alexander