Geert Wilders, the 'Dutch Trump' who promises an exit from the EU and a tough immigration policy

The departure of the 'Teflon' Mark Rutte from Dutch politics after 13 years at the head of the nation has opened the door of the Government to the far-right Geert Wilders, after the elections held on Wednesday and in which almost all the votes counted declared him the winner. to the candidate of the Party for Freedom (PVV).

Wilders became known when he came in second place in the elections in 2017 with controversial messages that at that time permeated Europe.. In fact, the media was quick to call him the 'Dutch Trump', in reference to the US president who had been elected in 2016.. The first to come out to congratulate the Dutchman have been politicians who defend policies similar to those of Wilders: Marine Le Pen (France), Matteo Salvini (Italy), Viktor Orban (Hungary) and Santiago Abascal (Spain).

Although some analysts point out that Wilders has softened his speech since the previous election call, what exactly is he proposing and why is it a challenge for Europe.

Wilders' Islamophobic far-right wins elections in the Netherlands Exiting the EU

Wilders fuels Europhobia, since PVV wants “sovereign Netherlands”, as AFP details in the analysis of its program. The formation rejects projects like that of the EU. Do you remember the concept of Nexit? Well, Wilders was one of the politicians who fed him at a time when the European project was in maximum danger.. The United Kingdom referendum in which the divorce from Brussels won gave wings to other anti-European movements on the continent. The PVV candidate already tried to hold a consultation on the matter, but Parliament rejected it.

At the current time, when the enlargement of the EU is being studied, with the war in Ukraine about to turn two years old, the PVV precisely wants there to be no new incorporations, in addition to wanting to censor other more symbolic aspects, such as removing European flags from official buildings.

Are we facing a new wave of far-right in Europe? Regardless of whether Wilders manages to become 'premier' or not, the continent is once again experiencing a political 'earthquake'. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni, of the Brothers of Italy, became prime minister, while in Slovakia it was Robert Fico who recently won at the polls.

The Dutch media is already talking about “a turn to the right”, but the key lies in the parties that could form a coalition with the PVV.

Tough immigration policy

Another current problem in the Old Continent is migration. And that is where the PVV proposes a “freezing of asylum” and that the immigration policy be “more restrictive”. More border controls, deportations of illegals and restrictions on EU citizens staying in the Netherlands are some of the promises of the party program led by Wilders.

In the past he had legal trouble for his insults to Moroccans, as the BBC recalls.

Migration is going to be the toughest issue for Wilders because Rutte's fall occurred precisely because of differences in the coalition over asylum policy.. Despite having won the legislative elections, he needs to form a coalition to become prime minister. This suggests that it will not be so easy to implement its promises in this matter.

“Less Islam in the Netherlands”

“We want less Islam in the Netherlands,” says the program. A slogan that is achieved by reducing the migration of citizens from countries where this religion is professed. And, as has happened in France, the symbols of Islam will not be well received either.. Among some of the things that the PVV asks for is “prohibiting the use of Islamic scarves in government buildings.”

However, on Wednesday night Wilders retracted this part of the program, stating that he will not close Islamic schools or ban the Koran, according to Efe.

Netherlands, first

If Donald Trump became famous in 2016 for his Make America Great Again – the same message that drives him again for next year's elections and that has 'extended' to Argentina when congratulating the newly elected Javier Milei -, the Dutch people must also be a priority in the Netherlands. This is how the PVV summarizes it: “Our guiding principle is: act in the interests of the Netherlands and the Dutch people. “Our own country comes first.”

“The people must recover their nation” or “The Netherlands can't take it anymore” were some of the phrases he said during the campaign and in television debates.

In terms of foreign policy, they support Israel in the current conflict in the Middle East and Wilders does not want any representation of the Palestinian Authority in his territory.

Denialism

The PVV does not believe in climate change either and invites its compatriots not to be afraid. Not even because of the rise in sea level, which would clearly affect a country crossed by canals.

Wilders' party is committed to continuing with coal, gas and keeping nuclear plants open.