Current Netherlands’ prime minister Mark Rutte performed better than expected, and anti-immigration challenger Geert Wilders worse than expected in Wednesday elections.
Totals are not final, and some media outlets still refer to exit polls, but with some returns in, Reuters proclaims Dutch PM Rutte on Course for Big Victory Over Far-rRght Wilders.
The Netherlands’ center-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte was on course for a resounding victory over anti-Islam and anti-EU Geert Wilders in an election on Wednesday, offering huge relief to other EU governments facing a wave of nationalism.
“It appears that the VVD will be the biggest party in the Netherlands for the third time in a row,” a beaming Rutte told cheering supporters at a post-election party in The Hague. “Tonight we’ll celebrate a little.”
Rutte received congratulatory messages from European leaders and spoke with some by telephone.
“It is also an evening in which the Netherlands, after Brexit, after the American elections, said ‘stop’ to the wrong kind of populism,” he said.
Wrong Kind of Populism?
Rutte won, as expected, but to get to a coalition of 76 it will take at least 4 political parties to align.
If projections hold, support for Rutte is down by 22% from the last election and support for Wilders is up by about 58%.
Forget about Rutte taking more votes than expected. Rutte did so only because he embraced Wilders’ anti-immigration stance, minus the extreme bigotry of Wilders.
Misleading Labels
The media labels Wilders “far-right”. The label is ridiculous. Wilders is a socialist coupled with extreme bigotry.
Wilders is simply too extreme for most of the Netherlands. However, Wilders’ extreme rhetoric pushed Rutte way to the right on immigration.
Who Really Won?
Make no mistake, this election is a huge jump to the right. It’s also a huge move for less immigration.
Support for Rutte’s coalition partner, Labour’s PvdA, is projected to plunge from 38 seats to 9.
Given that no political parties would form a coalition with Wilders, and given Rutte’s pitch for less immigration, I suggest Wilders got nearly everything he wanted even if he fell a handful of seats short of what he hoped.
I was not rooting for Wilders, but you tell me: Who really won?
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Kiss the Dutchland goodbye…
************************************* “A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.”
Federal judge in Hawaii halts Trump travel ban
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/15/federal-judge-in-hawaii-puts-trump-travel-ban-on-hold.html
The “bigotry of Wilders” being a desire to preserve Holland from Islamic violence….
The English noun bigot is a term used to describe a prejudiced or closed-minded person, especially one who is intolerant or hostile towards different social groups (e.g. racial or religious groups), and especially one whose own beliefs are perceived as unreasonable or excessively narrow-minded, superstitious, or hypocritical.[1] The abstract noun is bigotry.
Now really, WHO does that REALLY describe? What group is it that seeks to SILENCE its opposition, who claims that anyone who wants their nation and dominant culture to thrive is a FASCIST, and WHO instigates VIOLENT PROTESTS at ever opportunity?
Surely there are at least TWO significant WORLD-WIDE groups that could carry this mantle.
Anyone???
The Dutch are entitled to their society as much as the next guy. I guess it is bigotry to call invasions of middle eastern countries “bad” according to Mish’s logic.
Have you ever listened to Wilders?
Have you ever lived in a large EU city?
Please elucidate.I see plenty of violence, but can’t think of two cases where both violent and protest deserve all caps.
Half our Europe is erupting into violent protests by MUSLIMS. And we similar protests at college campuses and Ferguson.
The left talks a big game about “indigenous” peoples and cultures. Yet, when it comes to Europe they talk about multiculturalism.
Multiple cultures existed in the form of nations, now multi cultural means just one culture under regional and global state and enterprise.
The “bigotry of Wilders” being the last trace of courage and self preservation in Holland.
who really won….well i hear the mosque construction and hijab clothing business is going to be booming soon
Unless the Muzzies manage to follow their new Dutch neighbors far enough down the existential drain, to trade keeping their fertile age wives properly boinked for loitering around Amsterdam brothels, you are no doubt right about that prediction.
Agree (with Mish) mostly… Not sure if there was a huge shift “to the right”, but there was definitely a huge shift against unlimited and illegal immigration forced on Netherlands by Brussels.
I think the results (if they hold) are telling of what is likely to happen in Germany too. The countries share a lot of economic and cultural values, with intertwined economies. Netherlands isn’t going anywhere without Germany.
Merkel might be the least smelly jock strap in the laundry, or German voters may decide to replace her with some other vile politician. I doubt the AfD “wins” in the literal sense, but again the unlimited immigration, crime and endless debt binge that is the EU is clearly out of favor no matter who “wins”
The Chancellor in Germany is important, but the makeup of the Bundestag also matters. Same for Netherlands. Both countries indicating that Europe supports a free trade block, but not the rest of the EU bureaucracy.
“Multi-speed Europe” just took on a new meaning — nation states are restoring autonomy, while Brussels is in retreat.
The current coalition “won” by losing less than expected. As I understand it, they’ll have to embrace the leftie/Green Party that gained some seats in order to form a new govt coalition. Thus, on balance, NL shifted a bit to the left.
The people will regret it eventually, but for now the elites are succeeding in slowing the tide.
I doubt there was a shift to the left either.
There is a mass rejection of big, bloated (which inevitably means corrupt) governments, and its happening all over the G20. There is a mass rejection that corrupt politicians are able to discern what is right/wrong for the whole country.
There is a shift toward republics (representative government, instead of an arrogant clique representing themselves).
This is a continued shift toward nationalism. The elites have ‘slowed’ nothing… all of europe will devolve as nationalism spreads.
In in another wing of the G7 insane assylum, Warmonger John McCain screamed like a lunatic when Rand Paul thwarted McCain’s attempt to make Russian enclave Montenegro into a NATO member. Worse (for McCain), after shooting down McCain’s dumb idea — Paul then just stood up and walked out instead of pretending like the debate had any merit.
No one, not even the warmonger himself, could think of even an insane reason why Montenegro should be part of a dying NATO — except as a pretense for McCain to launch another silly war.
And in a very familiar temper tantrum, I mean refrain, John McCain allegedly accused Rand Paul of being an agent of Putin. McCain seems to think that pretty much everyone who dares to oppose endless and pointless warfare must be a Putin agent.
Does McCain want to fix the VA hospital system? Nope. Repeal the crime known as obamacare? Nope.
McCain just wants total war, all the time. How is that representing the people of Arizona or the people of the US?
Agree mostly, except the centre right as far as I have witnessed in other parts of Europe is business as usual re. multikulti, the difference being between them and nationalists ( even nationalist bigots if you like) that when center right install order they crack down on everyone as is and claim own power, nationalists look to preserve native community, pushing out chosen foreigners perceived as problem, and closing to ‘too much’ foreign influence in terms of globalism etc. Personally I like to know where I stand in a country, and do not mind rejection ( which is rare because I do not mind following and respecting local custom) , what I don’t like is circumstance which is false, where society is tense or unhappy, where forced cohabitation is order of the day, with its enforcers looking at citizens in a cold technical manner. The politicians can celebrate the theme and ideal of their choice, but they are not the ones who live its real effect.
https://leblogalupus.com/2017/03/15/mondialisme-immigration-un-accord-secret-entre-mark-rutte-et-angela-merkel-sur-laccueil-de-refugies-depuis-la-turquie/
Has details on Rutte and Merkel forging the Turkey migrant deal privately, via Die Welt reporting on a book by Robin Alexander. The discussions were witnessed, they promised to take in 150 to 250 000 migrants a year. That explains the tiff Turkey has with the two countries, as well as Rutte/Merkel being able to display a stance of cracking down on foreign influence recently. I leave it to you to guess how this was organised and whether Turkey is willing participant.
That’s some amazing timing that Merkel’s “secret” deal with Erdogan is being “suddenly revealed” now that backroom election bartering is underway.
German industry doesn’t support Brussels (and their puppet Merkel) destroying German industry — that should not be a surprise to anyone.
Tax evaders and lying politicians might say “Its the economy stupid”. While more common folk might point out how stupid it is to bite the hand that feeds you (government’s destroying their own tax base).
Yes, there are a lot of sides to what is going on, and of course there are those who think it can all be resolved under EU stewardship. Take migration, contrary to studies on demographic adaptability and benefits of shrinking population , European commission announces the need for 6 million more migrants and to open offices over Middle-east and Africa to process entry.
http://www.tdg.ch/monde/L-Europe-va-avoir-besoin-de-6millions-dimmigres/story/19455815
Meantime they are trying to convince EU countries to unwillingly accept migrants, which ultimately they have no choice in the matter should it come to current host countries moving people on, given open borders.
I could go on but it is endless.. have the feeling that article on Rutte/Merkel was released to coincide with election.
For at least a decade, business leaders I know in Germany have talked about opportunities in Eastern Europe (see Chinese definition of opportunity = risk).
Germany has capital (both financial savings and technology / machinery), but it has a shortage of workers. Some businesses want to exploit workers, most want a “fair” exchange (fair defined by the two involved parties, not by politicians).
Eastern Europe has very little capital, after decades of moronic socialism. It has a lot of workers — some of whom are lazy or unethical, but most of whom are decently educated (if not well educated). Many ex-soviet states emphasized math and engineering skills, which makes that subset of Eastern European workers a perfect match for what German businesses are looking for.
If the better German companies can get together with Eastern European workers — in employment deemed mutually beneficial by employers / employees (not crooked politicians) — it would help eastern European consumers, help German / Dutch businesses, and expand European markets into Asia. Eastern Europeans share similar cultures, religions, languages, etc with western Europe — making it an easy arrangement. Win, win, win.
Unfortunately the arrogant unelected socialists in Brussels decided to f#ck up everything. Eastern Europeans are (according to Brussels anyway) better used as cannon fodder in a never ending war with Russia. Brussels prefers to bring in middle eastern immigrants (some of whom are terrorists). Middle easterners have a very different culture, speak different languages, are generally Muslim (not Christian / Protestant like Europe)… and many are not emigrating by choice.
Immigration between western and eastern Europe, “controlled” by mutually beneficial economics has wide spread support.
Forced immigration by childish, self appointed, do-gooder socialists in Brussels who do not have to suffer the consequences of their arrogance had (past tense) limited support, and now faces widespread opposition — and not just in the EU.
The same trend is seen all over the G20. Despite a media misinformation campaign (sponsored by George Soros, when he isn’t paying for political violence), Americans who can think for themselves know there is a huge difference between legal immigration (we came through Ellis Island ourselves) and illegal immigration.
I think there is a reason why Europeans are inclined to be so accepting of immigrants beyond the progressive indoctrination. Europe is in relative close proximity to these immigrant nations and has had years of history with this, EXCEPT that historically while all immigrants bring their home culture with them, most integrated into the new home society. Over the last twenty years that has changed, and as we now see in America, more and more immigrants are not integrating into local society but instead attempting to colonize them. The massive influx in Europe has occurred at a faster rate than reality has allowed to sink in. Things are NOT what they once were and they are quickly reaching a critical mass that is simultaneously emboldening the immigrants to be more assertive and catching native people by surprise and potentially a knee-jerk response.
This is potentially a very combustible condition. The lack of guns in the hands of people will not inhibit violence. I think about the hutus and the tutsis going at it with machetes.
There is a balance to migrant numbers, and it was previously held in check by simply rejecting migrants after a point – no benefits, only work and nationalisation only after many years. Each country has its attitudes and history, the only thing really in common is EU and Schengen. In short the EU theme has become mix it all up and mix all in…so far only part accepted and with a lot of resentment around also.
You must be joking Mish. Europe has been fighting off Islamic invasions for over thousand years. Now the majority of EU politicians put unskilled immigrants from hostile countries before their own citizens. They are flooding Europe, with the intention to replace the native population. Wilders is recognizing the danger and that makes him a bigot?
Wilders is a visionary. He sees beyond today and, unfortunately, that is a problem for some.
my sympathy on your loss, Netherlands!
Let me add that I think Erdogan’s posturing was timed to get out the Turkish Muslim vote, so It must have worked. (surprisingly)
“If projections hold, support for Rutte is down by 22% from the last election and support for Wilders is up by about 58%.”
The trend is Wilders’ friend.
One prediction wrong and more to come.
Recent polls show also Merkel on an upswing. LOL
Who really won?
The pro-EU parties, who you were against Mish, won.
I hope that this will repeat in France and Germany later this year as Le Pen and the AfD will have to get satisfied with their 15-20% anti-EU votes.
Brexit and Trump are already blinking warning signs for people, showing the damage you get when you believe populists that promise to have the cake and eat it.
so i guess gets to go all in and get over run by islam then?
Radical islam is a highly-visible but small problem with weak backers such as the failing ISIS and Europe will gradually adapt to beat it as shown for exemple by the recent ban of religious symbols in workplaces, changing immigration policies, better police work etc.
Anti-EU forces are a partly-hidden but great problem with strong backers such as Russia and some US conservatives with deep pockets, and the EU has to fight against them. Some battles were already won in Austria and now in the Netherlands, others will be fought in the coming months.
Jolt, you can’t keeping blaming Russia, Trump etc.
EU problems are just being postponed and the longer the worse for all concerned. Constantly pointing a finger at “someone else is causing this” is ridiculous.
Look at the explosives sent to recently to the Bundesbank. That is a small sign of where this will head unless reform is embraced.
i disagree, all narrow election wins, should have been seen as a warning shot. I doubt the EU is really humble enough to really analyse this and modify their protocols to put a rest to the anti-EU sentiments. What i forsee happening is some lip services to be paid such as the head covering ban but beyond that nothing really being done to facilitate a sensible reform on immigration. As such expect the “ring wing” to grow larger and more vocal, with the possible emergence of actual white supremacy groups being visible and vocal on the national and regional stage.
Like an alcoholic, after so many near death experiences they develop a sense of invincibility that allows them to believe their arrogance in the face of risk is a virtue.
Yeah what we see is extreme left has taken power everywhere in the society, and when you actually try to do something they don’t agree with, they will fight using any mean possible.
And you solution is to not even try ?
If you want to know why all goes down, debt, etc, just look in the mirror. It’s generations of complacent cowards like yourself.
NL shifting toward nationalism is hardly a pro-EU victory… quite the opposite.
Look how quickly the pro-EU serfs slip back into their shell of comfort & arrogance… they want to think the populist tide is receding… LOL.
The media labels Wilders “far-right”. The label is ridiculous. Wilders is a socialist coupled with extreme bigotry.
——————-
Erm …. wasn’t Hitler a socialist coupled with extreme bigotry?
Mish is right again. Here in Europe Rutte is presented as the winner. But the ruling parties lost 38 mandates and their majority (41+38 to 32+9). Now you are left with 13 parties and 4 needed to form a coalition. With a less extreme Wilders things would have been different.
Lars has read the post before commenting? Unheard of.
You were wrong on Netherlands as you are for France
Marine Le Pen will be crushed by Fillon
The right wing conservatives or republicans call them as you like will defeat the socialists and the extreme far right
We don t want to get out of the euro We want a strong euro to compete with your dollar and the Chinese what we want is less refugees Soiros should take them at home less taxes and less unemployment Retirement age in France should be 65 and not at 60 madame Le Pen because we have billions of public debt to pay back
Anyway it s a happy day for Europe and especially the Netherlands so let s enjoy Misch
Care needed – Bomb at IMF-World Bank in Paris. Small but the same attempt at Bundesbank.
This is how it starts, small. It is not just against Banksters, it’s a voice from Europe.
EU will say its anti-bank.
Expect groups from Greece, Italy and others to slowly start to rebel. Just like IRA did in Northern Ireland and then they took their bombs to mainland UK. There’s no excuse for it but the seeds are sown.
These recent actions will give others ideas and they will take their grievance across borders to the seats at Bank Institutions (started) and before long Brussels.
It’s probably economic grievances currently but it can easily morph into any and every grievance people feel when the system ignores them and treats them like cattle.
I hope I am way off mark & completely wrong.
Bigotry in defense of Liberty is no vice.
Progress in politics is like driving.
You can’t get out of the ditch and back on the road by deciding to drive straight.
Unless you drive towards the opposite ditch for a while you’re staying in the ditch you in.
You are right. Progressive politics has us constantly running from ditch to ditch. Conservatives are inclined to slow down and try to avoid the ditches. Sometimes we will even attempt to paint lines on the road to keep us out of the ditches or avoid head on collisions with opposing traffic. Our mistake comes when we yield too much to the opposing lanes who insist on owning the entire road, and then find ourselves in the ditch simply to avoid conflict. We are faced with a horrible choice, but as long as we prefer avoidance of conflict, we will stay in the ditch never again claiming any right to the roadway at all. The road we were on has now become a one way highway, where anyone daring to interrupt or impede traffic flow will be run over.
I, for one, am tired of being stuck in the ditch, of keeping my opinions to myself because of fear of blow-back from clients. AS a small business person I am owned by my customers and their opinion of me, and as I age, this has become tiresome. I, along with many other older people, are at the stage of throwing caution to the wind and FINALLY standing up.
Going against the traffic will be painful and most likely violent as the oncoming traffic has momentum and a very distinct sense of right-of-way. Small business has been suppressed for far too long and as such has found itself in many cases begging for support from a flaky clientele who let it be known they will happily go to China or Mexico for their consumables.
I’m tired of this battle. I say let them go to China. The HELL with them. Lets see how much money the financial leaches in America can suck out of China…and for how long.
Truth is not bigotry, nor is self-preservation.
Europe is on the fast track to Sharia law. In a generation, the French will be emigrating to Quebec and Eastern Europe will be begging Russia to come in and rescue them.
“The entire election campaign was highly polarized. This led to a large turnout of 82 PERCENT, the highest for 31 years and 6 percent more than in the last election.”
“The political situation in the Netherlands is reminiscent of the conditions that existed in Weimar Germany between 1919 and 1933, where a parliament paralyzed by intense conflicts presided over conditions that gave rise to the coming to power of Hitler.”
Selected quotes from “Dutch Prime Minister Rutte wins out against far-right challenger”
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/03/16/dutc-m16.html
It’s a “win-when”: TPTB win when the people think the election changed anything…
it gets ugly later, when the people realize it did not.
Sheep LOVE to be sheared.
I don t want to emigrate to Russia or eastern europe for it is too cold but I like their beautiful women , if sharia were to be applied I may have several spouses it would be legal
I am joking of course French will not be emigrating but I read poor americans are fleeing expensive statrees such as democratic california to go to Texas state i read it few days ago in zero hedge article lol
I don t believe the wall is useful against mexican immigrants as they are already lots of hispanic people in us cities suh as Miami
For my part I have spanish origins puedo hablar cvasdtellano si quiere usted
Me gust alos estados unidos y especialmente nueva york has entendido amigo di you get it my friend ?
The people who believe Islam will rule Europe sound hysterical. Just where in Europe exactly do Muslims hold any sort of influence or power?
So far – little. Look at the demographics of Germany to see.
London, England plus small townships across Europe. Ever hear of grassroots campaign. Took liberals 50 years to gain control of universities. Islam has a long game plan.
This is obviously a defeat for Wilders. All mainstream parties in the EU have been pushed more to the right so it is not Just Wilders who has caused this. However, the Netherlands & Austria have generally benefited from the Euro so it’s not surprising establishment parties won there. France on the other hand has clearly been suffering since the financial crisis, so results could be very different, and I think Le Pen may win if she plays her cards right.
think again.
Wilders party GAINED seats, all other major parties lost seats.
The populism/nationalism trend is confirmed & spreading.
The Dutch are intelligent people who can run a long-term economy effectively and efficiently.
But their intense liberalism precludes them from recognizing huge social problems that will result in their downfall.
Liberalism destroys civilizations.
Funny how people can be so smart, yet so stupid at the same time.
Like the absent-minded professor.
Yeah, all doom and gloom. Only a strong charismatic and populist leader like Trump can save us and fix the country! Oh wait..
…you were saying?
Let’s see where the US is after 8 years of DT, and let’s see where Europe is in 8 years…
The US will be FAR better shape after DT, and Europe will have collapsed.
…you were saying something?
Yeah, all that he did until now show that his campagne promises were based on deep reflexion, well-elaborated analysis and hard-worked efficient consensus-seeking, at least inside of his political camp.
Or rather was that random BS based on TV-derived superficial informations, mainly just intended to please the crowd he was talking to?
Yet his primary opponent (Rutte) had to co-opt Wilders’ anti-immigration policies to be ‘competitive’ in the election…
The Dutch electorate – with Wilders serving as their threat/ultimatum – have successfully pushed NL ruling policy as far to the Right as NL has been in 80 years.
If you want to believe that is reflexion or superficial, then I would suggest that you are in denial. The fact that NL has a ‘right/conservative’ governing coalition speaks volumes about the very real shift in the beliefs/demands of the entire NL electorate.
“Liberalism destroys civilizations.”
You are joking. It is socialism that destroys civilizations. Large governments, large debts, unfunded promises, out-of-control spending, higher and higher taxes are the socialistic receipt for disaster.
Definition of socialism is leftism, liberalism, etc. you are agreeing with him without even realizing it. The left are socialist, the right are capitalists. Liberalism does destroy civilizations.
Thank you, Seenit.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. 🙂
Europe has always been subject to the movements of people across respective borders. The question is one of assimilation into the host country or region. There have always been enclaves of groups who have kept some or most of their cultural identity. Northeast France is proof of that. The problem is that the Islamic migrants tend to remain culturally isolated by choice. Assimilation is seen as a betrayal of their faith and cultural values. Hence, rather than engage in integration they have chosen exclusion. What Wilders sees is the reality that the Islamic hordes will overwhelm his country and others through an increase in population and the death of European culture and civilization in a few generations. This is not just a problem for the Netherlands but for all of Europe. Islam has been at the gates of Europe many times (Vienna in the sixteenth century) and duly pushed back. Now we see the onslaught renewed. True, there may be no Emir direction his hordes that way, but the hordes are at the gates once again. And should the hordes sweep past the gates then there is no assimilation, no integration. It will be embrace Allah or die. This is the very point that both progressives and moderates fail to see.
So who one the election? No one. Check back in four years and see if the new coalition is re-elected.
Do you know real EU muslims? I know quite a lot and they want to integrate and assimilate, and a lot of them already did it with great success. In the news you don’t see them and you stay blighted by a small and violent ultra-minority who has zero political power and influence .
Theo van Gogh.
Ok. Did you get my last sentence?
a few bad apples spoils the whole basket.
so long as the majority muslims/immigrants tolerate (fail to stop/condemn) the deadly/extremist actions of the ‘small & violent ultra-minority’ among them, they will ALL be held to account…
this may not be entirely fair/just, but it is rational.
Every year I spend three months in France. I live in a small village in the northeast of France. True, we do not see any Islamic people in our village of 300, but in the cities such as Langres, Chaumont, Troyes, and Dijon we do see them and they seldom bother to blend in. In Dijon there are is an area of Sharia law that the French hate but because of the liberals haven’t been able to do anything about. Where you get your experiences I don’t know, but mine come from direct contact with the French where I live for those three months. As to the question of whether I know any EU muslims the answer is no. And to tell the truth they have never wanted to know me or most of the others with whom they come in contact. Are there a few muslims who do want to assimilate or integrate? I would suppose there are, but it is not a common experience for most French.
For every muslim who integrates and assimilates you have 10 that dont, the proof is in the pudding as seen by the muslim(no go) enclaves all across Europe. Sure ones that assimilate should be rewarded and those that dont should have the door shown to them, but even the assimilated ones seem to regress way too easily into extremism. What i have yet to understand is out of all the groups, ethnicities and religious groups in the world you want to come to europe. Not the sikhs,the hindus,the buddishts, new zealanders australians, people from latin america or caribbean…European politicians have decided, en bloc, it wants people that have a distinct hatred for western civilization as per what is taught in their book.
These arent stupid people (Merkel has a degree in quantum chemistry) so the only rational i can have is that this is deliberate,but just what is the end game.
Wonder how far Hillary would have had to move in a Trumpian direction, for the outcome to have become similar over here? Aspiring future Democratic challengers must at least be pondering the issue. And that consultant who told Al Gore to wear more earth tones, must surely be brushing up on her knowledge of tones in the orange spectrum by now……
I saw nothing bigoted about Wilders as I have heard him speak for 30 minutes at a crack on 2 occasions. I only see him wanting the bring Holland back it’s Dutch liberal values which unfortunately are not good.
Geert Wilders is far left on social economic issues, combined with extreme right on migration and islam issues. There is zero liberalism amongst his points of view. Just a weird mix of socialism and populism.
The media told readers/viewers what to think about Widlers, and they are indignant that so many people are able to think and evaluate events for themselves.
A colleague of mine (who was a staunch Hilary supporter until the email treason — said colleague was in the military and would have gone to prison for doing what Hilary did).
So this colleague, after realizing Hilary is a crook, went to a Trump rally last year. He came back amazed that hearing Trump speak in person was so vastly different from what the media was reporting. Night and day different. It made him wonder who the hell the media were talking about with their racist, misogynistic labeling. He wasn’t sure if he would vote for Trump or stay home (I suspect he stayed home) — but he was 100% certain the media were and are misrepresenting Trump.
Same thing happening in Europe. I don’t know if Wilders is the best candidate, don’t know if I could support some of his socialist ideas if I were Dutch. but the endless “nazi” crap about him in the media is clearly a bunch of lies.
As more people realize this, more people are shifting away from central planning in all its forms: the EU, central banks, mass media, etc. The fact that the insiders lost so many votes to Wilder, in spite of the full court press from the media, is proof that central planners continue to lose ground.
I never expected Netherlands to break away from the EU unless/until Germany does so. As the future relationship between Germany and the EU gets re-evaluated, I suspect the Netherlands will re-visit their votes on Wilder. Don’t know if he will win then either (maybe someone else?), but the central planners will lose even more ground.
Comments on Trump and Wilders are right on.
Just a few months ago, the PVV was leading the polls with >30 seats. The VVD was at 20-24, losing almost half of its 41 seats. Just look at the final result: a complete turnaround. Thus the biggest loser IS in fact the PVV.
The PVV will never be in any government anymore. Wilders has shown himself to be a negative, agressive talker, who walks away when problems appear. Like his walk away from the VVD-CDA coalition. He has put himself out of business, degraded to a barker on the sidelines. Once again, the PVV is the biggest loser.
Finally, his party program is only 1 A4 piece of paper, which is a joke. You can’t take this guy seriously. And when people start to realise that he will never accomplish anything positive, his support will fade away.
No. Wilders has made discourse possible about formerly taboo subjects. Like demographics. Like the number of migrants in the jails and their disproportionate numbers on the dole and when it comes to violence.
You have seen clearly what happens in countries like Germany and Sweden even more so when the law forces official statistics to drop certain attributes (like race/nationality) thus obscuring where the problems is and not being able to zero in on the real problem. All the happy talk about diversity and the enrichment brought about by all this migration is a bunch of bunk.
In the Netherlands they were paying their own population to leave in the fifties (because the country was full!), but now people cannot see the problem with letting in 2 billion desparately poor people from the third world who are just looking for a better life, even thought the population has doubled since then. Their is a tug of war going on between the do-gooders who think they are so far above the “scrapping to stay alive” that they can allow any amount of “generosity” and those that are concerned about the future viability of “their” society.