Protests held against Wilders' election victory

Gathering at Dam Square in the capital, Amsterdam, the group protested against far-right, racist, and discriminatory policies in the Netherlands, while expressing their reaction to the PVV, led by Wilders, finishing the election in first place.

In the demonstration, which was attended by many Dutch citizens as well as refugees and activists from different ethnic backgrounds and communities, the message "No to fascism, racism, discrimination, and Islamophobia" was delivered.

In the speeches made, it was pointed out that the votes for far-right parties rose significantly in the general elections held on November 22 and that this "poses a threat" to different groups in Dutch society.

The speakers demanded opposition to the Israeli administration's apartheid practices against Palestinians, as well as an end to the attacks on Gaza, in addition to protesting discriminatory policies in the Netherlands.

Demonstrators carried signs reading "No to racism," "Geert=Fascist?," "Together against fascism and racism," and "Stop hate speech," while chanting slogans such as "No to fascism" and "Stop racism."

"I am worried about the legitimization of Islamophobia"

Lars Meijer, a 23-year-old student who participated in the demonstration, told an AA reporter that Wilders' party is against democracy and accuses other parties of treason, stating, "He (Wilders) still wants to close mosques, he wants to ban the Quran. In short, Geert Wilders is a fascist and we gathered to protest this."

Meijer noted that they aim to show that many people in the Netherlands do not support these results and to put pressure on other parties not to cooperate with Wilders for a coalition government.

Explaining that he is worried about the rise of Islamophobia if Wilders becomes prime minister, Meijer said, "I am worried about the legitimization of Islamophobia. People might turn to more violence, thinking that our government thinks this way too."

"We are afraid of him becoming prime minister"

Roos Korste, a 60-year-old demonstrator, stated that they gathered at Dam Square because the PVV became the leading party, adding, "We are afraid of him (Wilders) becoming prime minister. We think everything will get worse when he becomes prime minister."

Carrying a sign with a picture of Wilders placed on a cigarette pack with the word "extremist" written underneath, Korste said:

"He will make the country a worse place for refugees and people of other races and religions. He also does not support climate change policies and wants to turn things back. People of all races and all religions are welcome here, refugees are welcome here."

All scenarios under a Wilders government are bad

Stating that all scenarios that would emerge if Wilders comes to power are bad, 28-year-old Dutchman Emil Bruggeman said, "I'm not saying Wilders is a fascist, but he has policies that contain hate."

Bruggeman assessed that the statements by Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), that they would not exclude Wilders from a coalition government increased the PVV's votes and was one of the reasons behind Wilders' success in the elections.

Coalition talks have begun

According to the official election results announced yesterday in the Netherlands, the PVV, led by the anti-Islam and far-right Wilders, won 37 seats, the Labour Party (PvdA) and GreenLeft (GroenLinks), which entered the elections in an alliance led by former EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, won 25 seats, and the VVD, led by Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, won 24 seats.

The New Social Contract (NSC) party, led by Pieter Omtzigt, who was elected as a deputy from the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) in the 2021 elections and later left to form a new party, became the 4th party in the elections with 20 seats in its first participation.

Among the parties that were in the previous coalition government, Democrats 66 (D66) fell from 24 to 9 seats, CDA from 15 to 5, and the Christian Union (CU) from 5 to 3 seats.

PVV senator Gom van Strien, whom Wilders had tasked with conducting coalition negotiations, had resigned following reports in the national press regarding corruption at his former workplace.

Wilders appointed former Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ronald Plasterk to replace van Strien, and Plasterk began meetings with the leaders of the parties that finished in the top four in the election for coalition negotiations.

While Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Omtzigt have made statements that they will not join a coalition government headed by Wilders, it seems possible that the decisions of other parties regarding participating in coalition government negotiations could change if the PVV does not insist on its far-right policies.