The Netherlands disregarded the far-right — and Geert Wilders’ victory is the result

Media complacency and outgoing PM Mark Rutte’s decision to campaign on immigration have created a political earthquake, writes Cas Mudde

In the last week of the campaign, as the PVV made its shocking surge in the polls, article after article proclaimed the “milder tone” of Wilders, who had allegedly softened his “sharp edges”. Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

Two things were already clear months before Dutch election day: the Netherlands would have a new prime minister and dozens of new parliamentarians.

Forty sitting members of parliament, a quarter of the Tweede Kamer (lower house), and, even more striking, three of the four leaders of the outgoing conservative-led coalition had announced their departure from national politics. Ironically, in this sea of electoral change, it was the far-right mainstay, Geert Wilders, the soon-to-be longest-sitting politician, who would emerge the big winner.