Geert Wilders, Prominent Political Figure in New Dutch Government, Discusses Nupur Sharma’s Controversial Remark on Prophet: A Closer Look
Geert Wilders, known for his right-leaning views, encountered a challenging task on Thursday as he sought to build alliances for a coalition government following a resounding electoral success in the Netherlands. The PVV (Freedom Party) led by Wilders secured an impressive 37 seats in parliament, marking a significant surge compared to the previous election and sending ripples across both the Netherlands and Europe.
The left-wing bloc lagged significantly behind with 25 seats, while the centre-right VVD, led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, faced a formidable setback with 24 seats—a result deemed catastrophic for the party, as reported by AFP.
It also advocates for measures labelled as “de-Islamization” of the Netherlands, though Wilders has altered his position on Islam during the election campaign.
Exploring Geert Wilders: Insights into the New Leader of the Dutch Government
1) Wilders, aged 60, now faces the formidable challenge of building a coalition, reaching out to rivals who had unequivocally rejected the idea of participating in a government led by PVV before the election.
2) Despite toning down his anti-Islam rhetoric during the campaign, the PVV program still commits to banning the Koran, mosques, and Islamic headscarves. Leaders within the Muslim community in the Netherlands promptly expressed their concerns, as reported by AFP.
3) Following the release of exit polls, Wilders reinforced his anti-immigrant stance, asserting that the Dutch electorate had voted to curb the “tsunami” of asylum-seekers.
4) In 2016, Wilders was convicted of discrimination for leading a crowd in chanting for “fewer” Moroccans in the Netherlands. Additionally, he has previously drawn controversial parallels between the Koran and Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” advocating for the prohibition of both books.
5) In the past year, Wilders voiced support for BJP leader Nupur Sharma following her remarks on Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate. He declared, “Never yield to Islamic terrorists such as Al-Qaida; they embody barbarism.” The entire Indian nation should rally around #Nupur Sharma now supports her. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban targeted me on their hitlist years ago. One lesson: never bow to terrorists. Never!
Geert Wilders: The Incoming Dutch PM Who Advocated for Nupur Sharma and the Abolition of Article 370
Geert Wilders of the populist Party for Freedom (PVV) is on the verge of assuming the role of Dutch prime minister, with exit polls overwhelmingly in his favour. The anticipated transition follows the resignation of former PM Mark Rutte in July earlier this year.
Renowned for his staunch anti-immigration and anti-Islam stance, Wilders gained international attention for standing in support of Indian political leader Nupur Sharma when she made comments about Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate last year.
Sharma, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), faced global condemnation, particularly from the Muslim world and Gulf nations, for her comments on Prophet Muhammad. The backlash, including death threats, led her to issue an apology and withdraw from active public life. Geert Wilders praised Sharma as a hero, advocating for her to receive the Nobel Prize, and criticised the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its stance.
Wilders asserted that India, as a Hindu nation, deserves strong defence against Islamic hate and violence. He condemned OIC nations, labelling them as the most intolerant with dismal human rights records. Wilders, who shares anti-Islam views, highlighted the irony of OIC’s human rights declaration, emphasizing the need for self-reflection before passing judgment on India. He underscored India’s sovereignty and opposed external lectures, emphasising the stark contrast between OIC countries’ treatment of minorities and India’s approach.
Similar to Sharma, Wilders has faced death threats for his anti-Islam views, and as a potential PM, he may see an increase in security measures already in place as an opposition leader.
