Attack on far-right leader Baudet in the Netherlands
It was announced that 40-year-old Thierry Baudet was slightly injured and taken to a hospital in Groningen for treatment.
Euronews
In the Netherlands, Thierry Baudet, leader of the far-right Forum for Democracy party, was attacked during a campaign event in the city of Groningen two days before the election.
Following the attack, a statement on the party's social media account said, "Due to Thierry Baudet's health and safety, we had to cancel the event in Zwolle. We are sorry for everyone who came this evening."
It was stated that during the incident, which took place at a bar, Baudet was struck on the back of the head with a beer bottle and subsequently received a blow to his temple. Footage reflected on social media accounts showed the political leader being immediately removed from the scene, while the attacker was neutralized.
His party announced that the 40-year-old leader was slightly injured and taken to a hospital in Groningen for treatment.
Police reported that one person was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack and that the motive for the attack is being investigated.
Former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is not a candidate in the general elections to be held on November 22, condemned the incident, describing it as "unacceptable."
Baudet was also attacked last month at an event in Ghent, Belgium, where he was struck on the head with an umbrella. Far-right and populist parties are coming to the fore in the Netherlands elections.
Baudet's party, FvD, advocates for Dutch nationalism and pursues politics that are anti-European Union and anti-immigrant. The party is estimated to win four or five seats in the 150-member Dutch parliament.
Baudet, who has been a member of parliament since 2017, hopes to retain his seat in these elections.
According to the latest public opinion polls, the Freedom Party of far-right and anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is expected to rise to the position of the second-largest party in these elections and win between 22 and 28 seats.
Another Dutch populist politician, Pim Fortuyn, was attacked by an animal rights activist days before the 2002 general elections and lost his life.