Dutch dismay Wilders triumph continues the rise of Europe's far-right parties

Geert Wilders’ shock victory in the Dutch general election confirms the upward trajectory of Europe’s populist and far-right parties, which – with the occasional setback – are continuing their steady march into the mainstream.

- JON HENLEY

There is no guarantee that Wilders, whose anti-Islam Party for Freedom (PVV) won 37 seats in last Wednesday’s ballot – more than twice its 2021 total – will be able to form a government with a majority in the 150-seat parliament.

Even if he can, the coalition process of endless compromise and concession by three, four or more parties means the most extreme parts of his manifesto, from banning the Qur’an to holding a Nexit referendum, are not about to become government policy.

From Helsinki to Rome and Berlin to Brussels, far-right parties are climbing up the polls, shaping policies of the mainstream right, and occupying select ministerial roles in coalition governments.