24-11-2023 (AMSTERDAM) The election victory of far-right populist Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) has left Dutch Muslims in shock. Wilders, known for advocating the banning of mosques and the Quran in the Netherlands, secured 37 seats out of 150 in the Dutch parliament, surpassing predictions and defeating the Labour/Green coalition and outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservatives.
Muhsin Koktas of the Muslim organization CMO expressed dismay, stating, “These election results are shocking for Dutch Muslims. We did not expect such a party with a programme that is against the basic principles of the rule of law to be so big.” Muslims constitute around 5% of the Dutch population, nearly 18 million people.
Abdessamad Taheri, a 45-year-old community worker in The Hague’s multi-ethnic Schilderswijk neighbourhood, described the outcome as a “blow” that he needs time to process. Mehdi Koc, a 41-year-old insulation installer, expressed shock at the swing towards the PVV. Taheri, a member of the Labour party, noted that the vote conveyed mixed messages, with a predominant feeling of disappointment.
“In part, the message is that many people are xenophobic and don’t want foreigners or Muslims. But another message is that people are very disappointed in 13 years of Rutte,” Taheri said. He highlighted the challenge of separating this disappointment from Wilders’ divisive proposals, such as banning headscarves and closing mosques.
Despite Wilders’ post-election statement about being prime minister for all Dutch people, concerns persist about his future actions. Koc warned against supporting Wilders now, as it could lead to irreversible consequences, including the closure of mosques.
While some anticipate that Wilders may need to compromise on his radical views in the Dutch coalition system, Kemal Yildiz, 54, expressed optimism, stating, “He will not make the laws alone; other parties will join, and they have to cooperate.”
