Voters in the Netherlands went to the polls on Wednesday for a snap national election, spearheaded by Geert Wilders, a populist calling for reforms regarding immigration.
Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) is anticipated to secure the top spot once the votes are tallied, but a key concern is whether it can garner enough seats and find coalition allies to prevent the left from taking control.
In the previous national election two years ago, the PVV also finished first, yet the political landscape in the Netherlands, much like in several European nations, is quite fragmented. No single party appears capable of dominating the parliament. Consequently, forming a government often involves intricate coalition negotiations, which can drag on for months. This process may yield outcomes that don’t necessarily align with voter intentions.
Despite finishing first in the last election, Wilders’ party had to ally with three others, each party bringing its individual agenda. Early signs of instability emerged when one demand for coalition support was that Wilders could not assume the role of prime minister, despite leading the largest party.
Just over a year after the coalition was formed, it fell apart when Wilders accused other parties of reversing previously agreed-upon immigration controls. “We didn’t sign up for a cabinet that just expands asylum centers. The PVV has been patient, but now the gloves are off,” he stated in a speech back in June.
It remains unclear if the center-right parties that previously backed Wilders will do so again following this election, or if the PVV will reclaim the lead. Immigration continues to be the most pressing issue in the Netherlands, and Wilders believes his candid discussions on the topic might resonate with voters today.
If Wilders does not achieve a clear victory, a coalition of several smaller left-wing parties might emerge to form a government with a stance of “anyone but Wilders.” Frans Timmermans, the leader of the main left-wing party and a former European Commissioner, urged voters to choose him to “finally bring an end to the Wilders era.”
Wilders has faced threats to his safety for over 20 years due to his open criticism of Islam, requiring him to live under constant police protection, often not staying in the same location and usually wearing a bulletproof vest in public. During this election cycle, he had to pause his campaign due to a new terrorist threat against him.
