Split in Dutch Far-Right; Muslims Concerned Over Wilders’ Victory
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, the British newspaper The Guardian reported in an article titled “Open hostility against Muslims has become normalized” that Muslims in the Netherlands are increasingly worried about the rising influence of far-right groups and the intensifying rhetoric from politicians targeting migrants and minorities ahead of the national elections.
The Guardian highlighted how Dutch politicians have targeted Muslims, refugees, and other minorities to attract votes. It added that tomorrow’s election has become a critical test for measuring democratic values and Dutch identity.
In the last election, Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party surprised the nation by winning the most votes and forming a fragile coalition that lasted only 11 months.
This Wednesday’s election will take place while Ingrid van Engelshoven, leader of JA21-one of the country’s right-wing parties-has withdrawn from any coalition with Wilders.
Bloomberg reports expect van Engelshoven to draw some Neo-conservative votes away from Wilders’ base.
