Dutch Election: Wilders' Far-Right Party Projected to Win

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Facts

  • An initial exit poll undertaken by Ipsos has revealed that anti-EU, anti-Islam, right-wing politician Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) is projected to have won 35 of 150 seats — 10 more than the next most popular party — in the Dutch parliamentary elections held on Wednesday.1
  • Following the early results, Wilders said he would 'return' the country to its people and 'find ways to live up to the hopes of our voters, to put the Dutch back on number one.'2
  • The Netherlands will get its first new prime minister in 13 years, following the resignation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte — who will take on a caretaker role until the next government is installed — in July over immigration row.3
  • Rutte's People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and left-wing alliance PvdA-GL are predicted to get 27 seats in the election, which saw over 13M exercise their right to vote.4
  • According to Politico's Poll of Polls, PVV is expected to win nearly 24% of the vote, while PvdA-GL and VVD are projected to tie for second with about 15%.5
  • Wilders — often termed the Dutch version of former US Pres. Donald Trump — has reportedly already started discussions with other right-wing parties to form a coalition, insisting that whatever course of action he takes will 'be within the law and constitution.'6

Sources: 1Reuters, 2France 24, 3Evening Standard, 4Independent, 5Politico and 6Euronews.

Narratives

  • Right narrative, as provided by De Telegraaf. There's cause for celebration, not simply in the PVV's apparent victory, but in the margin it's apparently achieved. With a majority still required to form a government, PVV must transform this success into leading ministerial positions within a coalition to truly influence Dutch politics.
  • Left narrative, as provided by De Volkskrant. The projected 'success' of the PvdA-GL coalition is a loss for the nation. With the opportunity for governance firmly on the side of the right-wing parties, it has become clear that the Netherlands' left-wing voice hasn't been sufficiently mobilized. The wait for a progressive Dutch leader looks set to continue and the Dutch people will suffer in the meantime under an intolerant, right-wing government.

Predictions