http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38891753

Holland's Geert Wilders leading polls ahead of Dutch General Election

The Netherlands goes to the polls in March as Marine Le Pen's main ally leads polls


Quote Originally Posted by BBC News
When Dutch populist Geert Wilders promises to stop Islam and make the Netherlands great again, his message finds a ready audience in the country's newest city of Almere.

"It's too easy for people to come here," says Joost, a 60-year-old market trader. "Too many guys from Turkey and Morocco, economic migrants. I have three small children, what kind of world will they grow up in?"

Dutch voters go to the polls on 15 March and Mr Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) may win the biggest number of seats. Almere means "all lake", which it was until the 1960s. Then it became a concrete conurbation with affordable homes for people leaving Amsterdam. For several years it has been Geert Wilders territory.

Immigrants now make up about 30% of the population and that ethnic diversity is reflected at the market, where you can find steaming bowls of spicy Surinamese brown beans and headscarves displayed in rainbow fashion. Behind a thick rack of winter jackets, a woman with dyed-blond hair backs the UK's decision to leave the EU and says the Dutch should do the same.

Ria also complains about a Muslim neighbour. "At New Year I tried to shake his hand and he said he didn't shake hands with non-Muslim women." Often described as the Dutch Donald Trump, Mr Wilders shares the US president's opposition to Muslim immigration, his distrust of the media and his love of Twitter.
Geert Wilders Policies


  • "De-Islamising the Netherlands" - no more immigrants or asylum seekers from Muslim countries
  • No Islamic headscarves in public functions; ban on Islamic expressions that violate public order
  • Ban on Koran, closure of mosques and Islamic schools
  • Dutch exit from EU
  • Deport criminals with dual nationality
  • Lower income tax, pension age at 65, cuts in elderly care, home care


Quote Originally Posted by BBC News
With the financial crisis over in the Netherlands, the economy is growing and has faded as an election issue. Instead, immigration is expected to dominate the campaign.

The pragmatic prime minister, Mark Rutte, launched his election campaign with an open letter warning that anyone who wasn't prepared to "be normal" and accept Dutch culture should get out of the country.

Geert Wilders' party may well top the vote on 15 March but only his most ardent followers think he will become the next prime minister. The Dutch political system always produces a coalition government, and most other parties have vowed not to team up with him.

But if his popularity encourages enough liberal politicians to adopt his signature policies, Mr Wilders may claim victory even without winning the election.
The latest Dutch polling has...

Party for Freedom (Geert Wilders) 32%
People's Party for Freedom & Democracy (PM Mark Rutte) 23%
Green Left 17%
Christian Democats 16%
Democrats 66 14%

Whilst if he wins it'll be hard for him to form a government given the PR system in Holland, he's already forcing PM Mark Rutte and the others to his side of the issue on the European Union, refugees and Islam. Good luck Mr Wilders.

Thoughts?