An exit poll shows Geert Wilders' far-right PVV could receive 35 seats in parliament. Dutch voters have been picking a successor to Mark Rutte, whose coalition collapsed in July.
Wilders’ party’s stunning election performance drew praise from nationalist and far-right European politicians.
"The winds of change are here! Congratulations to Geert Wilders on winning the Dutch elections!" hailed Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who leads the Rassemblement National party, posted on X: "Congratulations to Geert Wilders and the PVV for their spectacular performance in the legislative elections which confirms the growing attachment to the defense of national identities."
"It is because there are people who refuse to see the national torch extinguished that the hope for change remains alive in Europe."
Italian far-right leader and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also congratulated Wilders.
"Congratulations to our friend Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV and historic ally of the League, for this extraordinary electoral victory. A new Europe is possible."
However, some also expressed trepidation over the projected election outcome.
"The distress and fear are enormous. "Wilders is known for his ideas about Muslims and Moroccans. We are afraid that he will portray us as second-class citizens" said Habib El Kaddouri, head of the Dutch organization representing Dutch-Moroccans.
Friends of the Earth Netherlands, a network of grassroots environmental organizations, said it’s worried about the impact on climate action. "A Wilders government will mean four years of climate change denial, exclusion and a breakdown of the rule of law."
Frans Timmermans, leader of the Green/Labor left-wing bloc, said: "Democracy has spoken, now it's time for us to defend democracy, to defend the rule of law. We have to make a fist against exclusion, against discrimination."
Source: Dw
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