Liberal-progressive Party D66 Wins Election, Dutch Media Report

THE GUARDIAN: Party will take lead in first round of talks to form coalition government after securing most votes

The Dutch liberal-progressive party D66 won the most votes in Wednesday’s general election, the news agency ANP has reported, putting its 38-year-old leader, Rob Jetten, on course to become the youngest prime minister in the Netherlands.

While the last few thousand votes are still being counted, Dutch media reported on Friday that Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration, anti-Islam Party for Freedom (PVV) could no longer win.

D66 is now expected to take the lead in a first round of talks to form a coalition government, a process that usually takes months. » | Senay Boztas in Amsterdam | Friday, October 31, 2025

Geert Wilders Faces Shutout as Centrists Hail Huge Gains in Knife-edge Dutch Election

THE GUARDIAN: Far right neck and neck with liberal D66 but all major mainstream parties have ruled out working with anti-Islam firebrand

Geert Wilders is almost certain to be shut out of the next Dutch government after a knife-edge general election in which support for his far-right Freedom party (PVV) slumped and the liberal-progressive D66 party made spectacular gains.

With 99.7% of ballots counted, the two parties were neck and neck on a projected 26 seats each in the 150-seat parliament, with D66 an estimated 15,000 votes ahead after the capital, Amsterdam, declared preliminary results on Thursday.

“It’s incredibly tense,” D66’s 38-year-old leader, Rob Jetten, who is in pole position to become prime minister, told reporters. “We have to wait for the next few hours – or more like days – for the final results.” But, he added, he was “very confident” of being able to form a new coalition government. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Thursday, October 30, 2025

PROFILE: Rob Jetten »

Centrist D66 Party Set to Win Most Seats in Dutch Election, Exit Poll Suggests

THE GUARDIAN: Result would pave the way for the Netherlands’ first out gay prime minister and end far-right populist Geert Wilders’ time in power

The liberal-progressive D66 party was on track to become the largest in the Dutch parliament, according to an exit poll, after a snap general election in which Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom party was seen losing a third of its seats.

The poll, with a one- to two-seat margin of error, gave the centrist party an estimated 27 MPs in the 150-seat assembly, possibly clearing a path for its 38-year-old leader, Rob Jetten, to become the Netherlands’ youngest and first out gay prime minister.

The result, if confirmed, would mark a historic comeback for the almost 60-year-old party, which won just nine seats in the last 2023 election, and a serious setback for Wilders’ anti-immigraton Freedom party (PVV), forecast to slump from 37 MPs to 25. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Meet Nicolás Keenan & Rob Jetten, the Couple Giving ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Vibes at Paris Olympics »

European Far Right Follows Trump in Calling for Antifa to Be Declared Terrorists

THE GUARDIAN: Netherlands and Hungary move towards designation as draft resolution reportedly backed by 79 MEPs in 20 countries

Where Donald Trump leads, Europe’s nationalists and far right follow. After a Truth Social post last month, when Trump announced the US would designate antifa, the decentralised anti-fascist movement, “a major terrorist organisation”, his international allies swung into action.

That same day, the Dutch parliament, where the largest party is Geert Wilders’ far-right PVV, passed a resolution, noting the US decision and calling on the government to declare antifa a terrorist organisation in the Netherlands.

Then the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán – more usually a source of inspiration for Trump – said his country would follow suit. Next, in the European parliament, a far-right MEP from the Flemish nationalist Vlaams Belang party drafted a resolution with the same request. Tom Vandendriessche announced last week that 79 MEPs from 20 countries supported his proposed text. In a video posted on X with ominous music playing, he described antifa as “an international network that is supported, financed and protected by the system to fight the nationalist opposition with violence”. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Sunday, October 12, 2025

Trump’s cancer is metastasizing rapidly, isn’t it? It will soon choke off freedom of speech and, by extension, freedom of thought! Without freedom of speech, freedom of thought is unthinkable. It is such a pity that Americans hadn’t the courage to lock up Trump when they had the chance to do so. Now, the West will have to pay the high price for their weakness and cowardice. Trumpism has already FU America, and now it is on course to FU the rest of the West as well! As an aside, I am sure that Winnie must be turning in his grave to learn that he was the Arch-Antifan! A message to all SANE folks! We are in the fight of our lives! Moreover, this could be the spark that sets off World War III! It’s going to be a battle for the soul of the western world. — © Mark Alexander

Trump signs order designating antifa as a ‘domestic terrorist organization’: Executive order revives controversial pledge from Trump’s first presidency in wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing »

Young and Radical - Why Right-wing Populism Is on the Rise | DW Documentary

Feb 10, 2025 | There has recently been a trend in elections in Europe: young voters are turning to right-wing populist and right-wing extremist parties. Why is this happening?

In the Netherlands researchers say it was 18-34 year olds who helped the right-wing populist Geert Wilders to victory in the parliamentary elections. In Italy too, the Brothers of Italy, a party that is considered post-fascist, is in power. In Germany, there will be an early federal election at the end of February. According to surveys, the AfD, parts of which have been classified as right-wing extremist, has a good chance of significantly increasing its share of the vote. The renowned youth researcher Prof. Klaus Hurrelmann says that the success of such parties is also due to their aggressive advertising towards young voters in the digital sphere. In their report, Alexandra von Nahmen and Finlay Duncan examine the question of what else makes radical parties so attractive to young people that they end up voting for them.


If Italians want a strong country again, if it wants to stem the rise in immigration—legal or illegal—it will need to send its young women back to the home. A country cannot be strong without procreation. Strong countries need lots and lots of babies. In the West in general, far too few babies are being born; in Italy in particular, not enough babies are being born even to stop the Italian total population from shrinking! So Melony… how about giving up your career in politics, go back into the home, and start procreating? As Tesco, the supermarket says about its low prices in its adverts: “every little helps”! – © Mark Alexander

Rechte bis rechtsradikale Regierung in den Niederlanden vereidigt

Jul 2, 2024 | Statt Wahlsieger Geert Wilders führt der ehemalige Geheimdienstchef Dick Schoof die neue Regierung an. Die Koalition um Schoof verfolgt eine sehr restriktive Asylpolitik.

EU Elections: Europe's Right of Election Drama Capped by Macron Bombshell | BBC News

Jun 10, 2024 | Exit polls had begun to roll in at the end of European elections across the EU’s 27 countries, when President Emmanuel Macron delivered his bombshell moment in a televised address to a stunned French population. “I’ve decided to hand you back the choice of our parliamentary future with a vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly,” he declared.

The National Rally party - led by Mr Macron's rivals Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella - was one of the big gains that Europe’s far-right parties had expected, and confirmation came with all the exit polls giving the party more than 30%, double that of Mr Macron’s centrist Renaissance.

But beyond France, the broader story of Europe's four-day vote marathon really belonged to the parties of the centre-right. They tightened their grip on the European Parliament, with victories in Germany and Spain, and significant advances in Hungary, against long-dominant Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The far-right did not enjoy as great a surge across Europe as many had predicted. In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party came second, while Austria’s party of the same name came out as winners, but only narrowly.

Geert Wilders in den Niederlanden

Was geschieht in den Niederlanden, was Geert Wilders betrifft? Ist es ihm schon möglich gewesen, eine Regierung bilden zu können? In den Nachrichten hierzulande liest man darüber fast gar Nichts. Es scheint mir, wie eine Verschwörung des Schweigens zu sein. – © Mark Alexander

Why Anti-Islam Populist Geert Wilders Won the Dutch Elections

Dec 5, 2023 | The recent elections in The Netherlands shook up the country. Geert Wilders and his right-wing party the PVV won the majority of votes. Why did so many people vote for Wilders?

Geert Wilders' Victory May Be Only the Beginning of Voters Rebuking the Establishment: Steve Forbes

Nov 30, 2023 | Steve Forbes warns mainstream politicians that more shocking electoral upsets from outsiders may soon be in store due to voters' disaffection for current policies.

Yes, Mr. Forbes: British politics stinks to high heaven, too! – © Mark Alexander

Geert Wilders’ Message for Muslims in Europe | Controversial Dutch PM, warns Erdogan

Dec 4, 2023 | The Far-Right Dutch Prime Minister, renowned for his Islamophobic stance and anti-Turkey sentiments, recently stirred controversy with a video message following a dramatic victory.

In the video, originally uploaded on December 4, 2015, Geert Wilders explicitly stated, "I have a message to the Turks; we do not want you in Europe. You are not European. You can never be a part of Europe." He went on to criticize Turkey, claiming it is ruled by the "dangerous Erdogan, who carries the flag of Islam," and emphatically expressed, "We don't want Islam. Therefore, Türkiye, stay away from us."

This isn't the first time Wilders has showcased discriminatory views; throughout his career, he has consistently made anti-Islamic comments, often targeting Erdogan and using anti-Turkey rhetoric as part of his domestic policy. Notably, in 2019, Wilders canceled a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest, provoking protests in Pakistan, underscoring his ongoing commitment to a divisive stance against Islam despite any opposition.

Milei, Trump, Wilders... Sommes-nous entrés dans l'ère des populistes ?

Dec 5, 2023 | Javier Milei en Argentine, Geert Wilders aux Pays-Bas, Robert Fico en Slovaquie, précédés par Georgia Meloni en Italie, Viktor Orban en Hongrie, Mateusz Morawiecki en Pologne, Donald Trump aux Etats-Unis... Sommes-nous entrés dans l'ère des populistes ? Qu'ont-ils en commun ? Qu'est-ce que cela signifie pour la démocratie ?

UK Should Rejoin EU to ‘Fix’ Brexit, Says Ursula von der Leyen

THE TELEGRAPH: European Commission president says she tells her children ‘we goofed it up’ when discussing UK’s departure from EU

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, told a conference in Brussels she felt there was a 'new beginning' between the UK and EU | CREDIT: OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK
The United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union to “fix” Brexit, Ursula von der Leyen has said, after Labour pledged to forge closer ties with the bloc if elected.

The European Commission president said “we goofed it up” when asked if Britain could ever reverse Brexit on Tuesday night in Brussels.

She was speaking amid much improved UK relations since the signing of Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland in February and after the shock victory of Geert Wilders, who wants the Netherlands to leave the EU, in Dutch elections last week.

“First of all, thank God, with the Windsor agreement, we had a new beginning for old friends. Very important,” Mrs von der Leyen said at an event hosted by the Politico website.

“And then I must say, I keep telling my children, you have to fix it. We goofed it up. You have to fix it. So I think here, too, the direction of travel, my personal opinion is clear.” » | James Crisp, Europe Editor | Wednesday, November 29, 2023

God bless Ursula von der Leyen! – © Mark Alexander

Sunak rejects von der Leyen’s comments that UK could rejoin EU: European Commission president said Brexit could be fixed because leaders had ‘goofed it up’ »

What a load of tosh Sunak speaks! If anyone “goofed up”, Cameron did! – © Mark Alexander

Au Royaume-Uni, « l’effet “glacial” du Brexit sur les investissements » : Après six ans de bouleversements politiques dus à la sortie du pays de l’Union européenne, l’image économique de Londres est sévèrement abîmée, estime Eric Albert, journaliste au « Monde », dans sa chronique. » [€]

'Get Out from Here': Dutch PM Probable Geert Wilders Tells Muslims in New Viral Video

Nov 26, 2023 | Dutch anti-Islam populist and PM probable Geert Wilders undated speech -- wherein he targets Islam and Muslims -- has gone viral. The speech is said to be after his far-right party's surprise victory in Netherlands. But HT cannot independently verify the date and location of the video. In his speech, Wilders pledges crackdown on Muslims, their mosques and Islamic centres as he brands Islam a religion of "hate and terror"

Geert Wilders speaks very tough words here. They will surely rock Europe. My guess is, though, that he is saying what many people think but wouldn't dare utter. Is Geert Wilders' victory at the polls the beginning of the end of political correctness in Europe, I wonder? – Mark

‘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

‘A Brexit Moment’: Dutch Voters Digest Geert Wilders’ Shock Election Win

GUARDIAN EUROPE: We hear from across the political spectrum as far-right populist begins talks to form government

The far-right PVV leader, Geert Wilders, attends a meeting with other party leaders for coalition talks on Friday. Photograph: Remko de Waal/EPA
The party of the Netherlands’ outgoing prime minister, Mark Rutte, has said it will not go into government with the anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders after this week’s shock election result.

Wilders’ far-right Freedom party (PVV) won 37 seats, more than doubling its representation in parliament to become the largest party.

As coalition talks begin, six voters in the Netherlands from across the political spectrum share their hopes and concerns for the future. » | Clea Skopeliti | Saturday, November 25, 2023

Der nette Herr Wilders

Geert Wilders am Freitag in Den Haag | Bild: REUTERS
WAHLSIEGER IN DEN NIEDERLANDEN
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Geert Wilders will jetzt die Niederlande regieren. Er zeigt sich plötzlich moderat. Aber kann er aus seiner Haut heraus?

Wenn man regieren wolle, sagte Geert Wilders Ende Oktober, müsse „man Wasser in den Wein kippen“. Der Vorsitzende der Partei für die Freiheit, kurz PVV, träumte davon, in einem rechten Kabinett „mitzuregieren“. Drei Wochen später hat er die Parlamentswahl in den Niederlanden gewonnen. Nicht einfach so, sondern haushoch. Jetzt geht es nicht mehr ums Mitmachen. Der Rechtspopulist, sechzig Jahre alt, will Ministerpräsident werden.

„Wir werden nicht über Moscheen, Korane und islamische Schulen sprechen“, kündigte er am Wahlabend an. „Wir werden über unsere Agenda der Hoffnung sprechen und über einen Asylstopp verhandeln.“ Also: Wasser in den Wein. Damit will er jetzt die Rechtsliberalen von Dilan Yeşilgöz und die neue Partei des abtrünnigen Christdemokraten Pieter Omtzigt für sich gewinnen. Gemeinsam hätten sie eine klare Mehrheit in der Abgeordnetenkammer. Doch beide Parteiführer haben Vorbehalte. Sie kennen den Kollegen lange genug, um ihm zu misstrauen. Yeşilgöz legte sich am Freitag fest: Ihre Partei werde nicht in ein Kabinett unter Wilders eintreten, sei aber bereit, eine Mitte-Rechts-Regierung zu tolerieren. » | Von Thomas Gutschker, Brüssel | Samstag, 25. November 2023

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Muslime nach dem Wahlsieg Wilders: »Dies ist nicht das Land, in das ich mich verliebt habe«

Nov 24, 2023 | Tausende Niederländer sind gegen den rechtsnationalen Wahlsieger Geert Wilders auf die Straße gegangen. Muslime sorgen sich um ihre Zukunft, falls er Ministerpräsident wird. Das aber bleibt offen.

Geert Wilders’ Victory Confirms Upward Trajectory of Far Right in Europe

THE GUARDIAN: Dutch general election results show how populist and far-right parties are advancing into political mainstream

Geert Wilders has softened his more hardline anti-Islamic language, apparently in hopes of his PVV party entering a coalition. Photograph: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock
Geert Wilders’ shock victory in the Dutch general election confirms the upward trajectory of Europe’s populist and far-right parties, which – with the occasional setback – are continuing their steady march into the mainstream.

There is no guarantee that Wilders, whose anti-Islam Party for Freedom (PVV) won 37 seats in Wednesday’s ballot – more than twice its 2021 total – will be able to form a government with a majority in the Netherlands’ 150-seat parliament.

Even if he can, the coalition process of endless compromise and concession by three, four or more parties means the most extreme parts of his manifesto, from banning the Qur’an to holding a Nexit referendum, are not about to become government policy.

But there is now a fair chance that a party shunned by the mainstream for more than a decade because of its radically nativist views could, some time next year, join the ranks of the far-right parties advancing across much of Europe.

From Helsinki to Rome and Berlin to Brussels, far-right parties are climbing steadily up the polls, shaping the policies of the mainstream right to reflect their nativist and populist platforms, and occupying select ministerial roles in coalition governments. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Friday, November 24, 2023

The Guardian view on the Dutch election: Europe must learn from a lurch to the far right: Geert Wilders’ unforseen victory will not necessarily make him prime minister. But it is another wake-up call for progressive parties across the continent »

Aux Pays-Bas, manifestations à Utrecht et Amsterdam contre l’extrême droite après la victoire de Geert Wilders

LE MONDE : Mercredi, le Parti pour la liberté (PVV), formation populiste et islamophobe conduite par M. Wilders, a remporté 37 sièges de députés sur les 150 de la Seconde Chambre, lors des législatives.

En scandant « Vous n’êtes pas seuls », un millier de personnes se sont rassemblées jeudi à Utrecht, dans l’ouest des Pays-Bas, pour protester contre la victoire surprise du candidat d’extrême droite Geert Wilders aux élections législatives néerlandaises mercredi. Une autre manifestation contre le parti d’extrême droite avait également lieu en soirée à Amsterdam.

Les membres des partis de gauche ont organisé la manifestation d’Utrecht « pour montrer aux Néerlandais que nous n’abandonnons jamais personne et que nous nous battons pour les droits de chacun », selon les organisateurs. » | Le Monde avec AFP | jeudi 23 novembre 2023