Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders, who defended now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammed, is likely to become the next Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Wilders' Party for Freedom, the third-largest party in the country, is on course for a massive victory in the parliamentary election.
According to the exit poll published by national broadcaster NOS, Wilders' Party for Freedom is likely to win 35 seats in the 150-seat lower house of Parliament. It is more than double what he won in the last election.
However, the firebrand leader, known for his vehement criticism of Islam, has to now cobble up a broad enough coalition to form a stable government.
In his party's manifesto, Wilders has called for bans on mosques, the Quran and Islamic headscarves in government buildings, according to a report in The Guardian. However, the Dutch leader has softer on Islam during his election campaign than in the past.
His election campaign focused on calls for a referendum on the Netherlands leaving the European Union and a total stoppage on accepting asylum seekers. "The Dutch will be No. 1 again...The people must get their nation back," Wilders had said during campaigning, AP reported.
Who Is Geert Wilders?
Born on September 6, 1963, Geert Wilders is known for his inflammatory views on Islam and has been under heavy police protection since 2004. He has been a leader in the House of Representatives since 1998.
Wilders has often been compared to former US President Donald Trump for his swept-back blonde hairstyle and also for his strong views against immigrants.
In fact, in 2020, he was convicted for insulting Moroccans during a campaign rally, when he asked the crowd whether they wanted more, or fewer Moroccans. Wilders had then said he was a victim of a "witch hunt" and a broken legal system.
What Wilders Said While Backing Nupur Sharma
In 2022, Wilders grabbed headlines after he extended his support to Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who drew flak due to her remarks on Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate.
Taking to X, Wilders had said, "Never give in to Islamic terrorists like Al-Qaida, they represent barbarism. The whole Indian nation should rally around #napursharma now and support her. Al Qaida and the Taliban put me on their hitlist years ago. One lesson: never bow for terrorists. Never." In another post on X, Wilders termed Nupur Sharma “a hero”.
“If secularism means appeasement there is no rule of law. Defend your values #India and my Hindu friends. Never tolerate the intolerable. Democracy and freedom need to be protected every day again,” Wilders said in another post on X.