five questions on the victory of the far right in the legislative elections

The Freedom Party (PVV), a far-right party led by Geert Wilders, obtained 37 seats out of 150, according to almost complete results. However, he is far from assured of governing.

The far right is gaining ground in Europe. In the Netherlands, the Freedom Party (PVV), an Islamophobic group, came first in the legislative elections on Wednesday, November 22, according to exit polls. The PVV “can no longer be ignored”, greeted the party’s founder and political leader, Geert Wilders. The politician, a figure of the far right in the Netherlands, called on other parties to work together to form a coalition.

The outgoing Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, announced in July the fall of the government after several differences “insurmountable” on immigration. He then declared that he wanted to leave politics, after more than thirteen years at the head of the Netherlands. Who will succeed him after these legislative elections? Franceinfo answers five questions about the election and its consequences.

1 What are the results ?

According to almost complete results released Thursday morning, the Freedom Party won 37 seats out of 150. It had so far 16 seats in the second chamber of the Estates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the equivalent of The national assembly.

The alliance of Frans Timmermans (left-ecologists), in progress (+8), comes second with 25 seats. The People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the center-right party in power, obtained only 24 seats (-10). His allies (the social liberals of D66 and the Christian Democrats of the CDA) also suffered a setback

Finally, the young New Social Contract party of Pieter Omtzigt, from the Christian Democratic movement, obtained 20 seats according to these results relayed by public radio and television NOS.

2 Who is Geert Wilders?

A member of parliament since 1998, Geert Wilders founded the Freedom Party in 2006. The far-right elected official is sometimes described as “Dutch Trump”. He has built his career on Islamophobia, fighting against what he considers to be a “Islamic invasion” of the West. He has already proposed caricature competitions of the Prophet Mohammed, and called Moroccans “scum”.

The Dutchman has had several run-ins with the law. He was notably found guilty of insulting Moroccan people. He has lived under police protection since 2004, due to death threats against him.

During the campaign, Geert Wilders somewhat softened his Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric, so much so that analysts nicknamed him “Geert Milders” (Geert the Gentle). The elected official, for example, focused more on the issue of the cost of living.

3 What does his far-right party propose?

Islamophobia nevertheless remains at the heart of the Freedom Party’s program. “The Netherlands is not an Islamic country: no Muslim schools, Korans and mosques”, declares the formation, which also wishes “the ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf in government buildings”. The PVV ensures that“with a reduction in the influx [des demandeurs] asylum and immigration to the Netherlands, the Islamization of the country will also be reduced”.

When it comes to immigration, the far-right party calls for a “freezing asylum” And “a generally more restrictive immigration policy”, as well as an exemption from European rules on the subject. The party intends to reestablish controls at the Dutch borders. Syrians holding temporary asylum permits could have their permits revoked because “parts of Syria are now safe”. The PVV manifesto adds that the number of foreign students will be reduced if the party comes to power.

The movement also wishes to propose a “binding referendum” on “Nexit”, the possible exit of the Netherlands from the European Union. He aspires to “a sovereign Netherlands, a Netherlands responsible for its own currency, its own borders and which establishes its own rules”.

In addition, the party displays climate skeptic positions, and calls for more oil and gas extraction from the North Sea. He also wants coal and gas power plants to remain open.

4 Can Geert Wilders govern?

To govern, a coalition will need 76 seats out of the 150 in the lower house of the Dutch Parliament. Geert Wilders is therefore still far from being able to govern. Before the elections, the leaders of the three other major parties had assured that they would not participate in a coalition led by the Freedom Party.

Frans Timmermans, leader of the Labor Party, immediately rejected the idea of ​​joining a Geert Wilders coalition. “The time has come for us to defend democracy”, did he declare. The candidate from Mark Rutte’s party (VVD), Dilan Yesilgöz, caused controversy by declaring herself ready to govern with Geert Wilders’ party. She then rejected the idea of ​​forming a government in which he would be Prime Minister.

The popular Pieter Omtzigt said to himself “available” to rule the Netherlands. While ensuring that the process would not be “not easy”.

5 What are the reactions in Europe?

The president of the National Rally group in the National Assembly, Marine Le Pen, congratulated Geert Wilders and his party for “their spectacular performance” in the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands. A result “which confirms the growing attachment to the defense of national identities”, she declared on X. “It is because there are people who refuse to see the national torch extinguished that the hope for change remains alive in Europe. added the far-right MP.

Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban also welcomed the PVV results in the Netherlands. “The winds of change are here”he assures.

Matteo Salvini, a figure of the Italian far right, described Geert Wilders as“friend” and declared that a “new Europe is possible”, after the success of the Dutchman. “All of Europe wants political change”, said Alice Weidel of the German far-right Alternative for Germany party.