Geert Wilders: The anti-Islam populist once banned from UK for extreme views
As Geert Wilders pulls off a shock win in the Dutch general election, Yahoo UK profiles the populist leader who was once banned from entering Britain.
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An anti-Islamic populist leader has led his party to a shock win in the Dutch general election, defying the polls in the run-up to the vote.
Geert Wilders celebrated after his Freedom Party (PVV) won 37 out of 150 seats in the Dutch parliament – well ahead of 25 for a joint Labour/Green ticket and 24 for the conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte.
However, the win does not instantly mean he will govern, as he does not have enough seats and none of the parties Wilders could form a government with share his anti-EU ideas.
A fan of fellow eurosceptic, Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban, Wilders is vocally anti-EU and has vowed to halt all immigration, slash Dutch payments to the union and block the entrance of any new members, including Ukraine.
His views on Islam have been considered too extreme by the UK – so much so that he was once banned from entering the country.
Here, Yahoo News UK looks at the controversial politician who may be the next prime minister of the Netherlands…
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Why was he banned?
In 2009 Wilders was accused of Islamophobia over his 17-minute film, Fitna, which criticised the Qur’an as a “fascist book”.
The film also quotes the Islamic holy book alongside images of the 9/11 attacks and sparked mass protests in the Muslim world.
He was due to fly to the UK to show the film at the House of Lords but the Home Office refused Wilders entry into the UK after he arrived at Heathrow Airport.
A letter sent to Wilders from the Home Office told him he was banned because his opinions "threaten community harmony and therefore public safety".
The letter, sent on behalf of the home secretary at the time, Labour’s Jacqui Smith, said Wilders' presence in the UK "would pose a genuine, present and significantly serious threat to one of the fundamental interests of society”.
It added: “The secretary of state is satisfied that your statements about Muslims and their beliefs, as expressed in the film and elsewhere, would threaten community harmony and therefore public safety in the UK."
While on the plane, he addressed the ban, telling journalists that he had already travelled to Britain without an issue.
He said: "I don't see why there's a problem with me this time. I don't understand why they allowed me to come before and not now."
Upon arrival he was questioned by immigration officials and denied entry.
Asked if he had a message for the UK government, he said: "I would say to them, 'Even if you don't like me and don't like the things I say then you should let me in for freedom of speech. If you don't, you are looking like cowards.'"
His controversial policies
Wilders’ policies for PVV are regarded as right-wing and populist, with a particular focus on the Netherlands reducing asylum and immigration.
He has previously said that the Netherlands should have a “freeze on asylum” and a more restrictive immigration policy.
This includes opting out of EU asylum and migration rules, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants and withdrawing temporary asylum permits for Syrians as “parts of Syria are now safe”.
The PVV manifesto said the Netherlands “must stop being afraid” of climate change, and calls for an increase in oil and gas extraction from the North Sea, while keeping coal and gas power stations open.
A vocal Eurosceptic, Wilders has also called for a referendum on ‘Nexit’ – following Britain’s lead in formally leaving the EU.
PVV also wants all EU flags removed from government buildings, with only the national flag being flown.
What has he said about Islam?
Wilders’ stance on Islam has been consistent throughout the years – and the PVV manifesto says there should be “less Islam” in the Netherlands, as well demanding no Islamic schools or mosques in the country.
Other times he has criticised the religion include:
On the Qur’an
“The Qur’an is a fascist book which incites violence. That is why this book, just like [Adolf Hitler's] Mein Kampf, must be banned. The book incites hatred and killing and therefore has no place in our [Dutch] legal order.”
On Islamic tradition
“Islam is not a religion, it's an ideology, the ideology of a retarded culture. I have a problem with Islamic tradition, culture, ideology. Not with Muslim people.”
On headscarves
“It is not acceptable for people to completely cover themselves on the street. It threatens public order and security. Plus it is a terrifying sight. Get rid of that woman-humiliating Islamic symbol.”
On the ‘Islamification of Europe’
“Islam is the Trojan Horse in Europe. If we do not stop Islamification now, Eurabia and Netherabia will just be a matter of time. One century ago, there were approximately 50 Muslims in the Netherlands. Today, there are about 1 million Muslims in this country. Where will it end? We are heading for the end of European and Dutch civilisation as we know it.”
