Dutch election winner Geert Wilders is an anti-Islam firebrand known as the Dutch Donald Trump

The victorious figure in the Dutch election, Geert Wilders, is a prominent and controversial political leader often likened to the former U.S. President, Donald Trump, due to his confrontational stance against Islam. Over the years, he has faced numerous death threats from Islamic extremists and legal repercussions for his derogatory remarks about Moroccans. His notoriety even led to a ban on his entry into the United Kingdom.

Geert Wilders has now secured a resounding win in the Dutch election, positioning himself as the frontrunner to forge the next governing coalition and potentially assume the role of the Netherlands’ next prime minister. The revelation of his landslide victory in an exit poll seemed to surprise even the seasoned 60-year-old political veteran.

In his initial response, conveyed through a video posted on a social media platform, he appeared overwhelmed, gesturing with open arms, burying his face in his hands, and uttering a succinct “35!”—referring to the number of seats that the exit poll projected his Party for Freedom (PVV) would secure in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.

Wilders, with his fiery rhetoric and distinctive peroxide-blond hair, has long been a prominent figure in Dutch politics, drawing parallels with the style of Donald Trump. However, unlike Trump, Wilders had largely been relegated to opposition politics, with his only brush with governance occurring when he lent support to Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s initial coalition in 2010. Nevertheless, this alliance was short-lived, as Wilders did not formally join the administration and dissolved it after just 18 months due to disagreements over austerity measures. Since then, mainstream political parties have kept their distance from him.

Now, with 35 parliamentary seats secured, Wilders and his PVV party hold a formidable position that cannot be ignored by other political entities. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with other parties during his election celebration, but whether he can assemble a stable coalition with former adversaries remains uncertain.

Wilders’ vehement anti-Islamic rhetoric has not only alienated mainstream politicians but has also made him a target for extremists, necessitating round-the-clock security protection for years. He has faced death threats and appeared in court as a victim of such threats, vowing never to be silenced.

During the recent election campaign, Wilders adopted a more moderate tone on the issue of Islam, shifting his focus towards other pressing concerns such as housing shortages, a rising cost of living, and access to healthcare. Nevertheless, his campaign platform still includes controversial proposals, such as a referendum on the Netherlands leaving the European Union and stricter immigration policies.

Geert Wilders is set to become the longest-serving lawmaker in the Dutch parliament this year, having been a member of the House of Representatives since 1998. He started his political career with the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy before establishing his Party for Freedom. Despite his hardline politics, Wilders has a reputation for witty one-liners and even has two cats, Snoetje and Pluisje, who boast a substantial following on social media. Additionally, he is a strong advocate for Israel, supporting the relocation of the Dutch embassy to Jerusalem and the closure of the Dutch diplomatic post in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority.

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More about Dutch Election Victory

• Geert Wilders Wins Big in Dutch Election
• Geert Wilders: Profile of a Controversial Leader
• Geert Wilders’ Political Positions
• Geert Wilders’ Political Career
• Geert Wilders and International Relations