"Far right still dominant in Netherlands despite Wilders' government setback"

Dutch Voters Head to the Polls Amid Political Instability

On Wednesday, Dutch citizens will cast their votes once again, marking the ninth election for the Tweede Kamer—the legislative chamber of the Netherlands’ parliament—in this still young century. In some respects, the country has come to resemble Italy in the 21st century, characterized by political fragmentation, government instability, and increasing radicalization, often accompanied by violence.

This latest election stems directly from these underlying challenges. The far-right Freedom Party (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, was a dominant force in the last governing coalition but abruptly withdrew its support in July, collapsing the government after less than a year. The lessons drawn by Dutch media, political parties, and voters from this turbulent period could have broader relevance, as many European nations face similar struggles with the rising electoral and ideological influence of far-right movements.

Much like the public, Dutch media were caught off guard by Wilders' decision to trigger the government’s collapse and have since attempted to interpret his motives. Compared to 2002, when an even shorter-lived coalition dissolved after just 12 weeks, there is notably less debate today over whether the far right should play a role in Dutch politics—almost as if its presence has become an unavoidable reality.

This shift is hardly surprising, as much of the Dutch media remains, whether willingly or not, fixated on the far right. Wilders himself rarely engages with press interviews, yet he has remained the most talked-about politician in Dutch news coverage. In his absence, media attention has disproportionately centered on figures like Joost Eerdmans, leader of the radical-right JA21 party. Meanwhile, a tactical leadership change within the far-right Forum for Democracy (FVD)—where Lidewij de Vos replaced Thierry Baudet—successfully reignited public and media interest in the party.

Political parties have largely contributed to the normalization of far-right ideologies. Some right-wing parties have declared they will no longer form coalitions with Wilders and the PVV—not due to his anti-democratic stance, but because of his perceived "irresponsible" conduct. Nonetheless, these same parties have continued to advance far-right policies in parliament, such as implementing the "strictest asylum policy ever," expanding a ban on face coverings, and even proposing an "antifa ban"—the latter notably introduced by the FVD, a party theoretically excluded from national power by a political "firewall."

Even centrist figures have played a role in legitimizing far-right agendas. Rob Jetten, leader of the socially liberal D66 party, has shifted his party’s stance on issues like immigration and culture, embracing a form of nationalist rhetoric and leaving the door open to collaboration with radical-right factions like JA21 or the BBB, a farmers' party that has grown increasingly radicalized.