EU expects Netherlands commitment after far-right PVV leads elections
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Geert Wilders, the leader of the PVV party and the election winner, is renowned for his firm position on migrants, criticism of EU policies, and advocacy for a referendum on EU departure.
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A European Union flag flies outside the parliament building, rear left, one day after the far-right Party for Freedom of leader Geert Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
EU Commission spokesman Eric Mamer stated on Thursday that the European Union expects the Netherlands to maintain its active engagement in the bloc following parliamentary elections led by the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), which has supported a referendum on Dutch exit from the EU.
"Elections take place at regular intervals in the member states [of the EU] and this does not, per se, put in doubt in any way the membership of any country to the European Union. We continue to count on the Netherlands' strong participation in the European Union," Mamer told a briefing.
Onze nieuwe fractie van maar liefst 37 leden (!) kwam voor het eerst bijeen vanmorgen onder het toeziend oog van heel veel pers. We gaan keihard werken om Nederlanders weer op 1 te zetten! #PVV pic.twitter.com/97VOxeCX4d
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) November 23, 2023
On Wednesday, the Netherlands conducted parliamentary elections, with the far-right PVV leading with 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.
Following closely is the left-wing GroenLinks-PvdA alliance with 25 seats, and the ruling People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) with 24 seats.
Geert Wilders, the leader of the PVV party and the election winner, is renowned for his firm position on migrants, criticism of EU policies, and advocacy for a referendum on EU departure.
He also opposes sanctions against Russia and does not endorse arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Read more: NATO prepping for 'high-intensity conflict' with Russia: Czech Rep.
In an op-ed published for The Times earlier today, writer Yasmeen Serhan said that the EU is highly alarmed by Wilder's victory because if Wilders enters the government, a tougher stance on spending and EU agreements on immigration and asylum policy is anticipated, challenging Brussels.
In reaction to Wilder's victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a celebratory post: "The winds of change are here!"
The winds of change are here! Congratulations to @geertwilderspvv on winning the Dutch elections! pic.twitter.com/yh9LVcuP5J
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) November 22, 2023
