Dutch Muslims fearful for future after ‘shocking’ election results

Scale of Netherlands vote for Geert Wilders’ far-right party and its anti-Islam policies leads to concerns over rights and safety

Geert Wilders described it as the “most beautiful day” of his political life. But for many across the Netherlands, news that Wilders’ far-right, anti-Islam party had emerged with the most votes in Wednesday’s election set off alarm bells over what might lie ahead in a country once regarded as a beacon of tolerance.

“These election results are shocking for Dutch Muslims,” said Muhsin Köktas of the Contact Body for Muslims and Government. “We did not expect such a party with a program that is against the basic principles of the rule of law to be so big.”