Dutch populists win shock election
Anti-immigrant party wins most votes in parliamentary elections just days after Utrecht shooting
A new anti-immigrant populist party has made sweeping gains in Dutch regional elections, following a last-minute boost in the polls driven by this week’s terrorist shooting in Utrecht.
Launched in 2016 by 36-year-old Thierry Baudet, the Forum for Democracy (FvD) is on course to win 12 seats in the Dutch upper house, making it the largest party in the senate along with that of the prime minister, Mark Rutte.
“A proponent of Dutch-first cultural, social and economic policies”, The Guardian says “Baudet wants improved relations with Russia, opposes the euro, and has called for the Netherlands to leave the EU – although he has since said he will see how Brexit plays out first”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
France 24 says “the flamboyant former academic is known for controversial statements such as ‘women in general excel less in jobs and have less ambition’”.
Campaigning on a platform of more direct democracy, less immigration and climate change denial, Baudet adopted classic populist tactics which have delivered gains across Europe and around the world in recent years.
Accusing successive governments of failing to maintain strict border controls, following the results he said the “stupidity and arrogance” of the elites had been punished.
“We stand here in the rubble of what was once the most beautiful civilisation,” he told supporters. “We won because the country needs us.”
“Dutch right-wing populism, dominated for a decade by Wilders and his Freedom Party, has been transformed in the past two years by the rapid growth of the Forum for Democracy,” reports Politico.
The news site says “Baudet shocked establishment parties this week by blaming the government's migration policy for the Utrecht attack just hours after the shooting. All other parties had suspended campaigning.”
Three people were killed and three more seriously injured on a tram in Utrecht when Turkish-born suspect Gokmen Tanis opened fire earlier this week.
While the motivation of the shooter is not yet known, the BBC reports that “a terrorist motive is being seriously taken into account”.
“This is a combination of an honour killing and a half-terrorist motive,” Baudet told supporters at a rally, Reuters reported.
Pollsters who had not predicted the FvD would make such gains have suggested the attack could have led a last-minute surge to the party.
The Times says “its success will ring alarm bells across European capitals little more than a month before European elections, at which populist parties are expected to make gains”.
However, The Guardian says in the Netherlands “despite the populists’ improved performance it will not easily be translated into increased clout in the upper house, since the other parties have pledged not to work with them”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What would it be like in jail for Trump if he's convicted?
Today's Big Question The Secret Service has begun grappling with how to protect a former president behind bars
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How much can you save shopping secondhand?
The Explainer Many Americans are buying pre-owned items to counteract the effects of inflation
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Downtown St. Louis is in a real estate 'doom loop'
Under the Radar The city is ripe with abandoned buildings and vacant lots, with its real estate market in dire straits
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Xi comes to Europe: what's on the agenda?
The Explainer China's president visiting for first time since 2019, with spotlight on support for Russia over Ukraine and trade tensions with EU
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Coming to America
Opinion Why the melting pot should be a source of national pride
By Theunis Bates Published
-
'Presidential debates are more performance art than actual ways to inform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published