Dutch populist candidate: 'I'm not Donald Trump'
Raw video: Prime Minister candidate Geert Wilders talks to press in The Hague
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Dutch voters went to the polls on Wednesday and the whole world was watching.
Mostly because of the man Fox News caught up with as he voted in The Hague. Geert Wilders has caused a stir here with his populist, anti-immigrant, and anti-Islam rhetoric – and for months he was leading in the polls.
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His nationalist stands are setting the tone for elections in Europe and have echoes of last year’s presidential race in the United States. Fox News asked him if he believes he got a “bump” from Donald Trump’s victory.
“I am not Donald Trump,” he replied. “I am Geert Wilders from the Netherlands. And I believe what is happening in America can happen all over the world.”
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In recent weeks, Wilders has been sliding a bit in the polls. In the parliamentary election, his Freedom party is now second in the polls behind the party of incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Fox News asked Wilders if some of the “speed bumps” the Trump administration was hitting might be causing a reverse cautionary “Trump effect” among voters here.
“That certainly could be the case,” he admitted. “However, I was active politically long before Mr. Trump took office. So I am not comparing myself to him.”
Dutch voters Fox News spoke with had mixed opinions about Wilders.
PVV party leader and firebrand anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders speaks to the media in the Hague. (Courtesy Fox News)
One was very enthusiastic, saying Wilders “…says the right things.” Another liked him, with reservations. “Wilders is OK, you need him… but not on top.”
Another voter just laughed when asked about Wilders. “Terrible!” the voter shouted.
In this brilliantly sunny day in Holland, all voters seemed to agree on one thing: Wednesday’s vote was important, perhaps the most critical one they’d been involved in. High early turn-out estimates seem to back that up. Official results are set to come out next week.
Wilders said no matter what happens – his race is definitely having an impact.
“Whatever the outcome of the elections today,” he said, “the genie will not go back in the bottle. This ‘patriotic revolution,’ either today or tomorrow, will take place anyway.”
With that, Wilders left, trailing a crush of media, security and bewildered Dutch people not used to international ruckus in their pleasant, mostly placid country.