The Dutch elections have resulted in a major victory for far-right populist Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV). According to exit polls, the PVV has taken the largest share, with 21 per cent of the votes, nearly three times more than its closest rivals. This makes Wilders the third-largest party in the Netherlands, albeit still in the opposition.
This is a significant win for a party with nationalist and anti-immigration policies, and Wilder himself has campaigned fiercely to close borders and reduce the number of immigrants in the country. His campaign for the recent elections focused on limiting the number of refugees in the Netherlands, a move that was widely criticised by human rights organizations worldwide.
Wilders has been a controversial figure in Dutch politics for years, and the PVV has been steadily increasing its clout in the Netherlands. The victory in this election is a major step forward for the PVV and gives Wilders a platform to push the nationalist agenda he so passionately believes in.
However, the PVV won’t be able to form a government anytime soon, as the Dutch parliamentary system is divided in two executive branches. The PVV will have to form coalitions with other parties in order to pass governmental policies. This could prove tricky, as many of the other parties, including centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s VVD, are opposed to Wilders’ nationalist policies.
Nevertheless, this is an important milestone for the PVV and Wilders, who for the first time, are in an advantageous position to help shape the future of Dutch politics. For better or worse, only time will tell how this victory will end up affecting the country.