Earthquakes in Dutch politics, where the extreme right has secured a dramatic victory. After 25 years in parliament, the Freedom Party of anti-Islamist populist Geert Wilders is projected to win 37 seats, breaking away sharply from its nearest rival, the left-wing alliance led by former EU commissioner Frans Timmermans which secured 25 places.
The result puts Wilders in line to lead talks on forming a new governing coalition and possibly become the first right-wing prime minister at a time of political turmoil across much of the continent.
"We will make sure that the Netherlands belongs to the Dutch people again. We will limit the tsunami of asylum seekers and immigration. People will have money in their wallets again.”
His victory has shocked Dutch politics and will send shock waves around Europe. But to fulfill his promise to be prime minister of all he will have to convince other parties to join the coalition.
The aim is to secure 76 of the 150 seats in the parliament. The 60-year-old is the strongest voice against immigration and has promised to close the borders, while the other promise to ban the Koran has been suspended.
Before the vote, the other three major parties ruled out participating in Wilders' government because of his right-wing policies. But that could change due to the size of his victory. (A2 Televizion)
