Geert Wilders, Anti-Islamic Leader, Who Backed Nupur Sharma Over Prophet remark, To Be Netherlands' Next PM

Known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration rhetoric, far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilder's Freedom Party (PVV) on Thursday registered a landslide victory in Dutch elections. His party won 37 seats, highest by any party but still short of majority to form the government.

Wilder, who once defended BJP's Nupur Sharma over her remarks on Prophet Mohammad, now may emerged as the new Dutch Prime Minister if he is able to cobble together a coalition government.

During a TV debate last year, Wilders had backed BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her remarks on Prophet Muhammad. While backing Nupur Sharma, Geert had said one should never give in to Islamic terrorist groups like Al-Qaida and Taliban, as they represent barbarism. "One lesson: never bow to terrorists. Never!" he had said.

As per the reports, Geert has received countless death threats from Islamic extremists. For his anti-Islam image and statements, Britain once had banned him from entering the country.

Geert's victory would also send shock waves across Europe as he had called for a referendum on the Netherlands leaving the European Union during his election campaign. Also asylum seekers and migrants push-back were top of his election campaign agenda.

As per the AFP report, the PVV clinched 37 seats, doubling the vote share from the last election, while the centre-right VVD bagged 24 seats, and the left-wing bloc trailed on 25 seats.

With the results of the Parliamentary Elections 2023, Prime Minister Mark Rutte AC makes an exit. He was in power since 2010 and will not return to politics following the installation of a new cabinet, said the reports. In last 92 years, Mark Rutte was the first liberal to be appointed as the Prime Minister of the Netherland. Rutte won his first election in 2006 under the VVD flag and later, led the party to register a victory in general election in 2010.