Geert Wilders' Triumph: The Netherlands' Conservative Revolution

In a seismic shift in Dutch politics, veteran populist and brave Islam critic Geert Wilders has successfully orchestrated a coalition agreement that promises to reshape the Netherlands’ political landscape. After months of negotiations among four right-wing parties, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (PVV), the Liberal Party (VVD), the National Social Coalition (NSC), and Better for the Netherlands (BBB), Wilders is poised to lead a government that pledges to deliver on tough border control measures and significant reforms.

PRESS CONFERENCE

We’re making history today!

Joining the Dutch government.#Wilders #PVV pic.twitter.com/XvN2ldxGN5

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) May 16, 2024

Wilders, who has been under strict round-the-clock police protection since 2004 due to relentless threats from Muslims, heralded the agreement as a triumph, declaring, “The sun will shine again in the Netherlands. The Netherlands will be ours again.” The coalition documents, titled “Hope, Courage, and Pride,” were formally presented to the Dutch King on Thursday afternoon, marking a historic moment in Dutch politics.

“No one will silence me as long as I can breathe”

Geert Wilders’s closing remarks at the latest in a 10yr series of trials

Geert lives in safe houses under police protection 24hrs a day since 2004 for speaking out against enemies of the West

FULL VIDEO https://t.co/mQCKgpRFwe pic.twitter.com/tB3D7Uqa85

— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) December 8, 2018

Last November’s national elections saw Wilders’ party emerge as the largest in the Netherlands, signaling a dramatic departure from the status quo and sending shockwaves through the establishment center and left. While his party fell short of a governing majority, Wilders wasted no time in initiating negotiations with three other right-wing parties. Despite numerous setbacks and diverging views, Wilders remained steadfast in his pursuit of a coalition government that would reflect the will of the people.

Historic Coalition Agreement

The breakthrough came with a 26-page provisional agreement titled “Hope, Courage, and Pride,” which outlines significant compromises, including Wilders surrendering his bid for Prime Minister to appease coalition partners. Instead, ministry positions and the Prime Ministership will be filled by technocrats—non-politicians, typically academics and economists—who will implement the government program as agreed by the four parties.

Sweeping Immigration Reforms

A major focus of the new government will be a comprehensive overhaul of the Dutch asylum and migration system. The coalition agreement highlights the urgent need to address rapid population growth due to migration, which strains housing, healthcare, education, and social cohesion. Key measures include:

• Activating the exception provision of the Aliens Act 2000 to address acute emergencies.
• Introducing a temporary Asylum Crisis Act to suspend the processing of asylum applications and reduce reception facilities.
• Implementing the strictest admission rules in Europe, including deporting migrants found crossing the border without permission or papers.
• Flipping the burden of proof in migration applications, requiring asylum seekers to prove their right to stay.
• Cracking down on job-visa migration and misuse of education visas to limit overall arrivals.
• Enforcing stricter family reunification policies and targeting harmful practices like forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

Protecting Dutch Culture

The coalition agreement also includes measures to protect Dutch culture and values, such as:

• Mandatory integration programs focusing on Dutch values, including knowledge of the Holocaust.
• Demands for foreigners seeking Dutch citizenship to renounce their previous citizenship.
• Restrictions on amplified prayer calls from mosques.

Broad Policy Reforms

Beyond immigration, the agreement encompasses a wide range of policy areas influenced by the coalition partners:

• Center-Right VVD: The outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party, shifting beyond its previous dismissal of working with Wilders, focuses on moving past Rutte’s legacy.
• NSC: This center-right party advocates for political reform, sound money, and reducing mass migration.
• BBB: The farmer movement, founded in response to EU green directives threatening Dutch agriculture, emphasizes protecting farmers, gardeners, and fishermen.

Economic and Social Policies

The coalition agreement promises:

• Cancelling anti-farm policies and no forced reduction of livestock or expropriation.
• Moving green policies like wind turbines offshore and expanding nuclear power.
• Increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP and enhancing efforts against anti-Semitism.
• Reforming the electoral system to strengthen the bond between voters and elected officials.
• Increasing homebuilding, reforming education to be politically neutral, and boosting public safety and the economy.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Selecting the cabinet and Prime Minister is crucial for the coalition’s success. NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt emphasized the need for a unifying Prime Minister. Wilders remains confident, stating, “We have a negotiating agreement, so that is very good news… I think we will get there. I cannot see it going wrong.”

Opposition and Criticism

The opposition has been vocal in its criticism. The centrist Christian Union and Eurocrat Frans Timmermans have expressed concerns, calling the coalition’s plans “disastrous.” The Turkish government-controlled Muslim party Denk described the day as “dark,” comparing the election results to 9/11. Asylum lawyers have warned that the new policies may face legal challenges under existing Dutch law and international treaties.

Every Western nation needs a Geert Wilders!

"Muhammad is a narcissist, a [molester], a mass murderer, a terrorist, a misogynist, a lecher, a cult leader, a madman, a rapist, a torturer, an assassin and a looter."

This quote is from a former Muslim, Ali Sina, who offered… pic.twitter.com/NdXzbVs5Ul

— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) May 16, 2024

A New Era for the Netherlands

The Netherlands’ new government is set to clean up the legacy of thirteen years under left-wing Mark Rutte, focusing on restoring national sovereignty and implementing rigorous border controls. The coalition’s provisional agreement, while a recovery plan rather than a radical shift, marks a significant break from the past and sets the stage for a new era in Dutch politics. As other EU member states look to the Netherlands as a guiding example, Geert Wilders’ perseverance and hard work have finally paid off.