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EU elections: Anti-Islam party big winner

Thursday 04 June 2009

Geert Wilders' anti-Islam party PVV emerged as the big winner in the European elections in the Netherlands on Thursday, taking some 15% of the vote by 11.30pm.

The result means the PVV is set to take four of the 25 Dutch seats in the European parliament.

'This is a fantastic result,' said Wilders. '...But we are just beginning.'

The biggest loser in the Netherlands is the Labour party (PvdA) which saw its support go down from seven seats to four.

CDA remains biggest

The biggest party remains the Christian Democrats, which is on target to take five seats, compared with seven at the last European elections.

The other big winner is the Liberal Democratic party D66 which is poised to take three seats, compared with just one at the last European election. D66 fought a staunchly pro-European campaign.

'There has been a clear no vote and a clear yes vote,' party leader Alexander Pechtold said.

The positive results for the PVV and D66 send a clear message, said CDA party leader and prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

Too close

The exit poll puts the right-wing Liberals on three seats, the Socialists, Groenlinks and orthodox Christian parties all on two seats each. The pro-animal PvdD is hovering around the one seat mark but too close to call, Nos commentators said.

The turnout in the Netherlands is put at around 40%, slightly more than at the last EU elections, and in line with opinion polls.

© DutchNews.nl


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Readers' comments

This is not recognition of Wilders, it is a backlash of poor leadership and quality policy from established parties.

By Solkhar | June 4, 2009 11:29 PM


he played on the dutch media and it helped him. media will carry him to the top for something :-)

By kwabena | June 5, 2009 3:28 AM


I agree, this was a media generated result, in combination with the fear and uncertainty during these difficult times. Wilders uses the media very well; however, a vote is a vote... this is how all despots come to power.

By Bryan | June 5, 2009 7:51 AM


Socialists in the battle against racism and fascism!

By Akalbobi | June 5, 2009 7:55 AM


The fanatics are just better at getting their supporters to the ballot box. And unfortunately during low elections turn outs the silent majorities hopefully resonable voice is lost. Voting should be compulsory with the option to also 'spoil' your vote so it will also not be counted if that is what you really wish. Only thenwould you get 100% of the voting populations real opinion and not just the media attention grabbing views of some.

By Tom | June 5, 2009 9:20 AM


Wilders is such a brave politician, despite death threat... sacarmsically he is the binladen of freedom.

By Jack | June 6, 2009 12:49 AM


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