NETHERLANDS

Party: Party for Freedom / Partij voor de Vrijheid) (PVV)

Leader: Geert Wilders 

Type Leader: The Netherlands is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy, with a monarch as head of state but power vested in the Prime Minister and government. PVV populist Wilders is viewed as an extremist and racist by his opponents for his divisive, inflammatory rhetoric, especially his denunciations of immigration, Islam, and multiculturalism. Opponents contend his views and positions undermine democratic values and institutions and are socially divisive.

% National Vote: In July 2023 general election, PVV led all parties with 23.5% of the vote, taking 37 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives. 

Position in Government: Following its victory in the 2023 election, the PVV is a member of the current coalition government, an eclectic mix of parties. Wilders was denied the premiership due to sufficient opposition but remains one of the most influential politicians in parliament. 

Platform: Anti-immigration (close Dutch borders), anti-Islam (ban the Koran) nationalism, national sovereignty, Euroscepticism, and conservative social policies.

European Parliament: In the June 2024 European legislative elections, PVV won 17% of the Dutch vote, for 6 of the Netherland’s 31 seats in the EP. Following the election, PVV joined the new Patriots for Europe coalition of far-right EU parties.