Dutch far-right Wilder's PVV party defeated in EU Parliament vote
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At least two of the coalition parties crushed Wilder's aspirations, refusing to support the anti-Islam, anti-European politician and his party.
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Geert Wilders of the PVV casts his ballot for the European election in The Hague, on June 6, 2024. (AP)
Former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans defeated far-right leader Geert Wilders in the Dutch European Parliament elections, according to an exit poll released Thursday.
The four-day election marathon across the 27 countries of the European Union has kicked off in The Netherlands, with France, Germany, and others voting on Sunday, as the bloc's 370 million voters are voting at a time of deep geopolitical uncertainty.
Timmermans' Green/Labour alliance was poised to gain eight seats in Thursday's election, ahead of Wilders and his PVV Freedom Party with seven, the definitive exit poll by national broadcaster NOS projected.
With a focus on environmental sustainability, the Greens/EFA group was said to garner widespread support among younger voters and progressive-minded individuals.
Read more: European Parliament elections: Political landscape, key players
The Netherlands will hold 31 of the 720 seats in the new European Parliament, and it was the first country to vote in the marathon elections, which conclude on Sunday.
On June 6-9, Europeans will head to polls to vote for the new #EUParliament, one of the most vital legislative bodies of the #EuropeanUnion.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 4, 2024
The vote, the first since #Brexit, will have its effects of course on the war in #Ukraine and other major issues for #Europe. pic.twitter.com/T2t8Nmk8ry
The victory would be a boost for Timmermans, the creator of the EU's Green Deal environmental program, who resigned from his position as European Commission vice-president to boost his political power in the Netherlands.
Despite topping opinion polls at one time, his pro-European center-left alliance of the Green Links and the Labour Party did poorly in the November national elections.
According to the party's program, "The fossil industry, pollution of nature and the consequences of the climate crisis" can all be tackled if there is collaboration.
The Netherlands is still reeling after Wilders and his PVV's surprising victory in November's national election.
Six months of intense talks ensued to establish a coalition of four right-wing parties, with an agreement eventually reached for a government vowing the "toughest immigration policy ever" in the nation.
At least two of the coalition parties crushed Wilder's aspirations, refusing to support the anti-Islam, anti-European. The liberal VVD party of departing Prime Minister Mark Rutte won four seats in the EU election, according to exit polls.
After several years of advocating for the Netherlands to leave the European Union (a "Nexit"), Wilders removed that vow from the PVV's manifesto for this election.
However, the plan remains staunchly anti-EU, stating, "No European superstate for us... we will work hard to change the Union from within."
As he cast his ballot, he expressed a need for "less immigration" and tougher asylum rules and practices.
Far-right MPs are winning popularity surveys in France and Italy, indicating that the new European Parliament will be more Eurosceptic.
Macron warns EU could be 'blocked' by big far-right parliament presence
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned Thursday that the EU risks being stymied by a strong far-right presence in the European Parliament following this week's elections.
Macron expressed on French TV that "Europe could be blocked" if France and other countries send far-right delegations.
"Because what is a Europe where the extreme right is strong?" he said, warning of the possibility of paralysis in decision-making in the event of another epidemic like Covid-19 or coping with illegal immigration.
Citing that "Europe protects us," he urged voters to fight to defend Europe.
He encouraged the French not to suffer the disappointment of British citizens who did not vote against Brexit in the 2016 referendum, only to see their nation leave the European Union.
"Come on, go vote on June 9, it is very important. I say this because I always think back to our British friends who did not go to vote on Brexit day. Not going to vote is leaving the future of our continent and our country to others," he stated.
