In the parliament elections on Wednesday, the people of the Netherlands elected long-lasting rabble-rouser Geert Wilders, along with his anti-immigrant and anti-EU Freedom Party, to the top of the vote. This provides him with an initial attempt to succeed retiring conservative leader Mark Rutte, provided he can form a coalition. The results strengthen the notion that the core of Europe is beginning to decay.
With calls for a Dutch EU referendum and the outlawing of mosques, the Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders is expected to secure 37 seats out of 150, a significant increase from the previous record high of 24 spots in 2010. The greatest direct effect will probably be gridlock. Wilders may find it difficult to get backing from mainstream conservatives, who gained 24 seats, even if he abandons his most radical viewpoints. Politicians from the green and labor parties, who combined for a total of 25 spots, have already declared they will not join in.
Though it will be difficult to beat Belgium's nearly two-year global record, it puts the Dutch on track to break their own record of 299 days in establishing a government. Ahead of the June elections for the European Parliament, politicians might want to steer clear of making concessions. It is anticipated to be headed by or reliant on Wilders, leaving it unstable and subject to change if a majority is formed after that. Alternatively, a minority administration, which is likewise an unstable structure, may be assembled by mainstream parties.
The effects might extend outside of the Hague. Nations that are experiencing internal unrest may nonetheless look to Europe to accomplish their policy goals. However, if national chiefs of state are unable to work together, EU negotiations will not proceed very far. The political unrest in Germany, coupled with the Dutch results, probably put a stop to expectations of reaching a consensus on Europe's budgetary regulations before year's end. The Netherlands is also going to become a foreign policy wild card as a result of Wilders' rise, especially when it comes to conflict zones like Israel and the Ukraine. Furthermore, he might be against measures that prioritize combating climate change over economic expansion, which would make Europe's transition away from fossil fuels more difficult.
Supported by voters' concerns about immigration, Wilders joins Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, in introducing once-taboo viewpoints into the public discourse. Similar shocks could occur in the European elections that take place the following year, as well as in the upcoming elections in Germany and France, where Alternative for Germany and Marine Le Pen's National Rally Party ranked first or second in surveys. Europe's core, which served as the bloc's pillar during the euro-zone's crisis, is now vulnerable.