Preliminary results released by national broadcaster NOS showed that Mr Wilders' Party for Freedom won 35 seats in the 150-seat Dutch parliament, 10 more than its nearest rival, the Labour Party-Greens coalition.
That gap is much higher than initially predicted and appears too large to change the final result. The official results will be announced tomorrow (November 24).
Mr. Geert Wilders celebrates after the preliminary results of the Dutch election were announced. Photo: AP
Mr Wilders' supporters cheered and hugged each other in celebration after the news was announced. In his victory speech, Mr Wilders vowed to end the "tsunami of refugees and migrants".
Mr Wilders' party has pushed an anti-immigration agenda, blaming the influx of asylum seekers for a housing shortage, as well as rising living costs and an overburdened health care system.
Mr Wilders’ victory also underscored the growing trend of far-right parties in Europe. Last year, Italy installed its most right-wing government since World War II after the victory of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Mr Wilders has also taken an anti-EU stance, calling for the Netherlands to control its borders, significantly reduce payments to the union and block any new members from joining.
He has also repeatedly said that the Netherlands should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine because his country also needs weapons to defend itself. However, none of the parties with which he is likely to form a government share these ideas.
Preliminary results showed outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte's party, the VVD, in third place with 24 seats. Immigration - which caused the downfall of Mr Rutte's government after 13 years in power - was a key campaign issue.
Mr Wilders is expected to try to form a right-wing government with the VVD and the upstart New Social Contract party, which together hold a 79-seat majority in the Dutch parliament and would be able to form a new government.
“I am confident that we can reach an agreement,” Wilders said in his victory speech. “I am very clear that we should not take any unconstitutional measures.” He declared himself ready to lead the Netherlands.
Outgoing President Rutte will remain as interim leader of the Netherlands until a new government is formed, likely in the first half of 2024.
Huy Hoang (according to AP, Reuters)
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