Latest news with #DutchTrump
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Who is Geert Wilders? The ‘Right Wing Messiah' quits Dutch government over immigration
The Netherlands has been thrown into political upheaval after Geert Wilders, the far-right populist leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), pulled his party out of the ruling coalition over disagreements on immigration and asylum policy. This decision, made less than a year after the government was formed, forced Prime Minister Dick Schoof to resign and triggered the collapse of the most right wing administration in Dutch history. Wilders, often dubbed the 'Dutch Trump,' cited his unyielding stance on asylum as the reason behind his party's withdrawal, marking another dramatic turn in his long and polarising political career. Geert Wilders: A polarising and popular figure in Netherlands Geert Wilders, 61, is one of the most recognised figures in European far right politics. He left the liberal conservative VVD in 2004 to establish the PVV, shaping it into a platform for his anti-Islam, anti-immigration beliefs. Often controversial, Wilders has repeatedly called for banning the Quran and Islamic schools and has openly criticised Dutch multiculturalism. His provocative rhetoric and polarising stances have kept him at the forefront of Dutch politics for two decades, despite multiple legal and political setbacks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo Shocking win of 2023 that changed everything In November 2023, Wilders led the PVV to a surprise victory, securing 37 seats and becoming the largest party in parliament. Although coalition partners blocked him from becoming prime minister due to his extreme views, Wilders held significant influence over policy from behind the scenes. The resulting government, a fragile coalition between the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB, was always tense, and the immigration dispute only widened existing cracks. The immigration dispute that broke the government At the heart of the collapse was Wilders' hardline 10-point asylum plan. His proposals included deporting all Syrian refugees, militarising borders, suspending EU asylum quotas and banning refugee family reunification. Legal experts argued that many of these violated international human rights agreements. When his coalition partners rejected the proposals, Wilders announced that all PVV ministers would resign, triggering the government's collapse. Fury from coalition partners Coalition leaders condemned Wilders' actions as reckless and self-serving. Dilan Yeşilgöz of the VVD called his withdrawal 'super irresponsible,' while other leaders accused him of prioritising personal power over national stability. Prime Minister Dick Schoof described the move as 'unnecessary and irresponsible,' lamenting the breakdown of consensus during a time of global instability. What happens next for the Netherlands? With the PVV's exit, the coalition lost its majority and the Dutch government now operates in caretaker mode. New elections are expected in the autumn. The crisis has also delayed major international decisions, including preparations for a NATO summit and defence budget commitments. Meanwhile, Wilders has vowed to return even stronger in the next election, renewing ambitions to lead the country on his own terms.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Wilders: firebrand 'Dutch Trump' gambles for power
SOMETIMES known as the "Dutch Trump" both for his bouffant dyed hair and firebrand rhetoric, Geert Wilders' anti-Islam, anti-immigrant and anti-EU message has catapulted him to the brink of power. From calling Moroccans "scum" to holding competitions for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, Wilders has built a career from his self-appointed mission to stop an "Islamic invasion" of the West. He has remained defiant despite brushes with the law – he was convicted for insulting Moroccans – and death threats that have kept him under police protection since 2004. Now his latest political gamble has collapsed the coalition government he agreed to, in the hope of finally realising his ambition to become Dutch prime minister. After years in the political wilderness, the 61-year-old made his breakthrough in 2023, stunning Europe with a surprise election win. His far-right Freedom Party (PVV) took 37 seats in the 150-seat parliament, handily beating the more established Green/Left and liberal VVD parties. He toned down his anti-immigration rhetoric during the campaign, even saying during the last election debate there were "bigger problems than fighting against the flood of asylum seekers and immigrants." Wilders vowed to put his anti-Islam outbursts "in the freezer" as the price for taking up residence in the "Little Tower", as the prime minister's office in The Hague is known. But his coalition partners had other ideas. The Dutch political system is based on consensus, meaning no one party can dominate, and two of the four party leaders were queasy at the thought of Wilders leading the country. He reluctantly stepped aside to clinch a coalition deal, writing on X: "The love for my country and voters is bigger and more important than my own position." After rollercoaster talks, the four parties agreed on Dick Schoof as a compromise PM, with a mandate to introduce the "strictest-ever" asylum policy seen in the country. But Wilders' ambitions were unsated and he frequently voiced his desire to become premier. He also again ramped up his anti-Islam rhetoric. "Walk the streets of Western Europe... and you will see that it often looks like a mediaeval Arab city, full of headscarves and burqas," he alleged in a recent speech. "Islam is rising but I do not want Islam to rise... for Islam and freedom are incompatible." Born in 1963 in southern Venlo, close to the German border, Wilders grew up in a Catholic family with his brother and two sisters. His mother was half-Indonesian, a fact Wilders rarely mentions. He developed an interest in politics in the 1980s, his older brother Paul told Der Spiegel magazine. "He was neither clearly on the left or the right at the time, nor was he xenophobic. But he was fascinated by the political game, the struggle for power and influence," Paul Wilders said. His hatred of Islam appeared to have developed slowly. He spent time in Israel on a kibbutz, witnessing first-hand tensions with the Palestinians. He also voiced shock at the assassinations of far-right leader Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and the radical anti-Islam filmmaker Theo van Gogh in 2004. When he heard the news of Van Gogh's murder: "I remember my legs were shaking with shock and indignation," he wrote in a 2012 book. "I can honestly say that I felt anger, not fear." Wilders entered politics in 1998 in the VVD party. During his early days in politics he started dying his brown hair blonde and learnt his media-savvy ways. Over the years he vowed not to be silenced, despite being convicted of insulting Moroccan-Dutch citizens. In 2006 he quit the VVD to found his own party and in 2017 it became the second largest in parliament, falling back to third largest in 2021. By tapping into a seam of Dutch discontent, Wilders also managed to push the political discourse in the Netherlands to the right. But Wilders also cut an isolated figure. He was married to a Hungarian woman but they had no children. When not posting anti-Islamic invective on his one social media account, he posted pictures of their cats on another. His party consisted of just one person: himself. And his security meant he had little contact with the outside world. "Geert's world has become very small," his brother told Der Spiegel. "It consists of the parliament, public events and his apartment. He can hardly go anywhere else."
Mint
03-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Dutch government falls as Geert Wilders' far-right PVV quits coalition
Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from the government Tuesday in a row over immigration, bringing down a shaky coalition and likely ushering in elections. Wilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the "strictest-ever immigration policy", agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023. "No signature for our asylum plans... PVV leaves the coalition," said Wilders on X, formerly Twitter, referring to his far-right Freedom Party. The withdrawal opens up a period of political uncertainty in the European Union's fifth-largest economy and major exporter, as far-right parties make gains across the continent. The latest government crisis also comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a NATO summit. Last-ditch crisis talks on Tuesday morning lasted barely half an hour before the leaders of the four coalition parties came out in a testy mood. "I have just informed the prime minister that I will withdraw the PVV ministers from the cabinet and that we can no longer bear responsibility for this," said Wilders. "I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands and that our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends at this moment," he added. Eighteen months after his surprise election win sent shockwaves through Europe, polls suggest his PVV is still the strongest party. However, the gap to his nearest rivals has narrowed, with the left-wing Green/Left party of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans following close behind. The liberal VVD party, a traditional powerhouse in Dutch politics, are also running near the top two, meaning any election would likely be closely fought. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz, visibly angry, described Wilders's move as "super irresponsible", adding she was afraid it would open the door to left-wing parties. "How can you do this to the Netherlands?" she said. Any elections would likely be held after the summer break, Sarah de Lange, professor of political pluralism at the University of Amsterdam, told AFP. "New elections are likely, but in the Netherlands, organising them takes almost three months. Snap elections in the Netherlands are not as quick as in other countries," she said. In late May, Wilders called an impromptu press conference to announce his "patience has now run out" with the government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. He threatened to torpedo the coalition if a new 10-point plan to crimp immigration was not implemented within a few weeks. His plan included border closures for asylum seekers, tougher border controls and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. Political and legal experts criticised the plans as unworkable or illegal, with some suggesting Wilders was creating a crisis to collapse the government. The far-right leader has often been called the "Dutch Trump" for his anti-immigrant views -- and instantly recognisable bouffant hairstyle. His ambitions to lead his country were frustrated after his election win, as his coalition partners blocked his premiership bid, settling instead on Schoof as a compromise candidate. The leaders of the four coalition partners agreed not to take up cabinet positions, instead running their parties as parliamentary chiefs. Wilders has been an uncompromising figure in parliament, his quick-witted jousting with Timmermans being a highlight of debates. He has frequently said that the only way to implement his anti-immigrant policies is for him to become prime minister. However, in the fractured Dutch political system, no party can win an absolute majority in the 150-seat parliament and Wilders will need partners. He can count on the support of the BBB farmers' party. The backing of the VVD -- currently an uneasy coalition partner -- is less certain. The fourth party in the current coalition -- the anti-corruption New Social Contract -- has seen support collapse since charismatic leader Pieter Omtzigt stepped down. Far-right parties have been on the rise across Europe. In May, the far-right Chega ("Enough") party took second place in Portuguese elections. In Germany, the anti-immigration far-right AfD doubled its score in legislative elections in February, reaching 20.8 percent. And in Britain, polls show the anti-immigration, hard-right Reform UK party of Nigel Farage is making significant gains following a breakthrough in local elections.
LeMonde
03-06-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Geert Wilders' far-right party quits Dutch government
Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from the government on Tuesday, June 3, in a row over immigration, bringing down a shaky coalition and likely ushering in snap elections. "No signature for our asylum plans... PVV leaves the coalition," said Wilders on X, referring to his far-right Freedom Party. Wilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the "strictest-ever immigration policy," agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023. The withdrawal opens up a period of political uncertainty in the European Union's fifth-largest economy and major exporter, as far-right parties make gains across the continent. The latest government crisis also comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a NATO summit. Eighteen months after his surprise election win sent shockwaves through Europe, polls suggest his PVV is still the strongest. However, the gap to his nearest rivals has narrowed, with the left-wing Green/Left party of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans following close behind. The liberal VVD party, a traditional powerhouse in Dutch politics, are also running near the top two, meaning any election would likely be closely fought. In late May, Wilders called an impromptu press conference to announce his "patience was up" with the government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. He threatened to torpedo the coalition if a new 10-point plan to crimp immigration were not implemented within a few weeks. His plan included border closures for asylum seekers, tougher border controls and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. Summarising his demands, he said: "Close the borders for asylum seekers and family reunifications. No more asylum centers opened. Close them." Political and legal experts criticized the plans as unworkable or illegal, with some suggesting Wilders was creating a crisis to collapse the government. 'Dutch Trump' The far-right leader has often been called the "Dutch Trump" for his anti-immigrant views and his instantly recognizable bouffant hairstyle. His ambitions to lead his country were frustrated after his election win, as his coalition partners blocked his premiership bid, settling instead on Schoof as a compromise candidate. The leaders of the four coalition partners agreed not to take up cabinet positions, instead running their parties as parliamentary chiefs. Wilders has been an uncompromising figure in parliament, his quick-witted jousting with Timmermans being a highlight of debates. He has frequently said that the only way to implement his anti-immigrant policies is for him to become prime minister. However, in the fractured Dutch political system, no party can win an absolute majority in the 150-seat parliament and Wilders will need partners. He can count on the support of the BBB farmers' party. The backing of the VVD – currently an uneasy coalition partner – is less certain. The fourth party in the current coalition – the anti-corruption New Social Contract – has seen support collapse since charismatic leader Pieter Omtzigt stepped down. Far-right parties have been on the rise across Europe. In May, the far-right Chega ("Enough") party took second place in Portuguese elections. In Germany, the anti-immigration far-right AfD doubled its score in legislative elections in February, reaching 20.8%. And in Britain, polls show the anti-immigration, hard-right Reform UK party of Nigel Farage is making significant gains following a breakthrough in local elections.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wilders: firebrand 'Dutch Trump' gambles for power
Sometimes known as the "Dutch Trump" both for his bouffant dyed hair and firebrand rhetoric, Geert Wilders' anti-Islam, anti-immigrant and anti-EU message has catapulted him to the brink of power. From calling Moroccans "scum" to holding competitions for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, Wilders has built a career from his self-appointed mission to stop an "Islamic invasion" of the West. He has remained defiant despite brushes with the law -- he was convicted for insulting Moroccans -- and death threats that have kept him under police protection since 2004. Now his latest political gamble has collapsed the coalition government he agreed to, in the hope of finally realising his ambition to become Dutch prime minister. After years in the political wilderness, the 61-year-old made his breakthrough in 2023, stunning Europe with a surprise election win. His far-right Freedom Party (PVV) took 37 seats in the 150-seat parliament, handily beating the more established Green/Left and liberal VVD parties. He toned down his anti-immigration rhetoric during the campaign, even saying during the last election debate there were "bigger problems than fighting against the flood of asylum seekers and immigrants". Wilders vowed to put his anti-Islam outbursts "in the freezer" as the price for taking up residence in the "Little Tower", as the prime minister's office in The Hague is known. - 'Medieval Arab city' - But his coalition partners had other ideas. The Dutch political system is based on consensus, meaning no one party can dominate, and two of the four party leaders were queasy at the thought of Wilders leading the country. He reluctantly stepped aside to clinch a coalition deal, writing on X: "The love for my country and voters is bigger and more important than my own position." After rollercoaster talks, the four parties agreed on Dick Schoof as a compromise PM, with a mandate to introduce the "strictest-ever" asylum policy seen in the country. But Wilders' ambitions were unsated and he frequently voiced his desire to become premier. He also again ramped up his anti-Islam rhetoric. "Walk the streets of Western Europe... and you will see that it often looks like a mediaeval Arab city, full of headscarves and burqas," he alleged in a recent speech. "Islam is rising but I do not want Islam to rise... for Islam and freedom are incompatible." - 'Anger, not fear' - Born in 1963 in southern Venlo, close to the German border, Wilders grew up in a Catholic family with his brother and two sisters. His mother was half-Indonesian, a fact Wilders rarely mentions. He developed an interest in politics in the 1980s, his older brother Paul told Der Spiegel magazine. "He was neither clearly on the left or the right at the time, nor was he xenophobic. But he was fascinated by the political game, the struggle for power and influence," Paul Wilders said. His hatred of Islam appeared to have developed slowly. He spent time in Israel on a kibbutz, witnessing first-hand tensions with the Palestinians. He also voiced shock at the assassinations of far-right leader Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and the radical anti-Islam filmmaker Theo van Gogh in 2004. When he heard the news of Van Gogh's murder: "I remember my legs were shaking with shock and indignation," he wrote in a 2012 book. "I can honestly say that I felt anger, not fear." Wilders entered politics in 1998 in the VVD party. During his early days in politics he started dying his brown hair blonde and learnt his media-savvy ways. - Isolated figure - Over the years he vowed not to be silenced, despite being convicted of insulting Moroccan-Dutch citizens. In 2006 he quit the VVD to found his own party and in 2017 it became the second largest in parliament, falling back to third largest in 2021. By tapping into a seam of Dutch discontent, Wilders also managed to push the political discourse in the Netherlands to the right. But Wilders also cut an isolated figure. He was married to a Hungarian woman but they had no children. When not posting anti-Islamic invective on his one social media account, he posted pictures of their cats on another. His party consisted of just one person: himself. And his security meant he had little contact with the outside world. "Geert's world has become very small," his brother told Der Spiegel. "It consists of the parliament, public events and his apartment. He can hardly go anywhere else." ric/gil
