Exit poll gives Dutch PM Rutte big lead over far-right Wilders

[webfact]

Exit poll gives Dutch PM Rutte big lead over far-right Wilders

By Thomas Escritt and Toby Sterling

REUTERS

 

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the VVD party waves after voting in the general election in The Hague, Netherlands, March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Michael Kooren

 

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands' centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte roundly saw off a challenge by anti-Islam, anti-EU Geert Wilders in an election on Wednesday, exit polls said, a huge relief to other EU governments facing a wave of nationalism.

 

Rutte's VVD Party was projected to win 31 of parliament's 150 seats, down from 41 at the last vote in 2012, but ahead of Wilders who tied in second place with two other parties at 19 each, according to the polls by national broadcaster NOS based on interviews with voters.

 

"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, who beat off a challenge from anti-Islam, anti-EU firebrand Geert Wilders, spoke to several European leaders, who called to congratulate him.

 

"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.

 

At 81 percent, turnout was the highest in 30 years in an election that was a test of whether the Dutch wanted to end decades of liberalism and choose a nationalist, nativist path by voting for Wilders and his promise to "de-Islamicise" the Netherlands and quit the European Union.

 

The result was a relief to mainstream parties across Europe, particularly in France and Germany, where right-wing nationalists hope to make a big impact in elections this year, potentially posing an existential threat to the EU.

 

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is set to make France's presidential election run-off in May, while eurosceptic, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany is likely to enter the German federal parliament for the first time in a September election.

 

"The Dutch have rejected the anti-European populist. Good for that. We need you for a strong Europe in 2017," the German foreign ministry tweeted, showing relief that Britain's vote to quit the EU had not been followed by a shock from the Dutch.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, could not restrain his joy, tweeting: "The Netherlands, oh the Netherlands you are a champion!..... Congratulations on this great result."

 

The exit polls helped the euro rise to its highest against the dollar <EUR=> since Feb. 7.

 

REAL BELLWETHER IS FRANCE

 

But Mabel Berezin, professor of sociology at Cornell University in the United States, said defeat for Wilders, who has been in parliament for nearly two decades, should not be considered a sign that European populism is waning.

 

"He does not represent a populist wave. Rather, he is part of the political landscape and how his party fares does not tell us much about European populism," she said.

 

"The real bellwether election will be Marine Le Pen's quest for the French presidency, starting April 23 – that is where the populist action is and that is what we should be focusing upon."

 

Rutte got a last-minute boost from a diplomatic row with Turkey, which allowed him to take a well-timed tough line on a majority Muslim country during an election campaign in which immigration and integration have been key issues.

 

The spat did not hurt the chances of Denk, a party supported by Dutch Turks, which looked set to win three seats, becoming the first ever ethnic minority party, in a possible sign of deepening ethnic division.

 

But while Rutte averted what in the early stages of the campaign looked like a possible victory for Wilders, years of austerity pushed down his share of the vote. His junior partner in the outgoing coalition, Labour, suffered its worst ever result, winning just nine seats, down from 38 last time.

 

That means it will likely take months for Rutte to negotiate a ruling coalition, with at least three other parties needed to reach a majority in parliament.

 

Wilders, whose Party for Freedom (PVV) is projected to increase its parliamentary seats to 19 from the 15 won in 2012, tweeted: "We won seats! The first victory is in! And Rutte has not seen the last of me yet!!"

 

The result is well down from his 2010 high of 24 seats while support for the two most pro-EU parties, the progressive D66 and GreenLeft, was way up.

 

(Additional reporting by Stephanie van den Berg and Phil Blenkinsop; Writing by Robin Pomeroy; Editing by Catherine Evans and James Dalgleish)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-03-16

[Grouse]

Positive news for a change ?

[ezzra]

 

Who ever wins, I hope they put a stop to all of those people, mainly Muslims, of turning the Netherlands into a hot bed of Islamic rule and free for all terrorism center....

No good deed goes unpunished, and the Netherlands are feeling the results of their generosity by allowing all those dubious refuges into their country....

[Grouse]

I think there will be a major effort to tighten borders and to return refugees. I didn't mind Wilders' anti Muslim stance it was his anti EU stance I did not care for. Same with Le Pen

[kamahele]

It seems the Dutch are more sensible than my own countrymen. Good for them.

[vogie]

Yes, very sensible?

[Allstars]

We all know how accurate pol prognoses are, don't we?

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/14/fox-news-poll-clinton-leads-trump-by-7-points.html

 

Hillary Clinton’s lead over Donald Trump has increased to seven points, as more than half of voters say he is not qualified to be president.

[pitrevie]

1 hour ago, Allstars said:

We all know how accurate pol prognoses are, don't we?

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/14/fox-news-poll-clinton-leads-trump-by-7-points.html

 

Hillary Clinton’s lead over Donald Trump has increased to seven points, as more than half of voters say he is not qualified to be president.

These were exit polls and with 75% of the results now in they are being confirmed.

[Grouse]

1 hour ago, vogie said:

Yes, very sensible?

Balancing the fascists on the one hand and Erdogan on the other I think the wise Dutch are putting some others to shame.

[Tawan Dok Krating Daeng]

1 hour ago, Allstars said:

We all know how accurate pol prognoses are, don't we?

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/14/fox-news-poll-clinton-leads-trump-by-7-points.html

 

Hillary Clinton’s lead over Donald Trump has increased to seven points, as more than half of voters say he is not qualified to be president.

 

Was HRC running for PM of the Netherlands?

 

The reactionaries continue to use Brexit and Trump as a self reinforcing delusion. They are anomalies. The fringe reactionaries will soon be put back in their cage and removed from consideration.

[daveAustin]

Bolstered by the spat with Turkey no doubt. Wilders was ott but at least Rutte is not a complete PC dunce on immigrants. However, can probably expect more of the same regards his other EU pals and their cushy get-togethers. 

[ilostmypassword]

1 minute ago, daveAustin said:

Bolstered by the spat with Turkey no doubt. Wilders was ott but at least Rutte is not a complete PC dunce on immigrants. However, can probably expect more of the same regards his other EU pals and their cushy get-togethers. 

What? If anything it was Wilders who would have gotten a boost from Erdogan's stupidity. 

[elgordo38]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, could not restrain his joy, tweeting: "The Netherlands, oh the Netherlands you are a champion!..... Congratulations on this great result."

Yes Angela you might squeak through. I think the smear campaign a little while back did Wilders in. You just have to love the Jim Carey smile and wave above. Well back to watching The Mask. 

[Morch]

2 hours ago, Tawan Dok Krating Daeng said:

 

Was HRC running for PM of the Netherlands?

 

The reactionaries continue to use Brexit and Trump as a self reinforcing delusion. They are anomalies. The fringe reactionaries will soon be put back in their cage and removed from consideration.

 

Even if the elections results go as many of us (myself included) hope, the right may claim two victories, of a sort. The first, being seen as a major alternative, and a credible threat to the current government and order of things. The second, forcing the current government to change its rhetoric and stance (even if temporarily and to a degree) with regard to some of the issues debated.

 

Objecting to right wing politics is one thing, underestimating their potential is another. In this sense, referencing other examples from around the World can serve as a valuable reminder with regard to political predictions.

[siam2007]

Wilders is not your average fascist blockhead. Actually he is quite smart and does differentiate. Interesting to read about him on wiki. Unlike the rest of the right-wingers, he is pro-LGBT, for example. Still, it is a good sign and a good signal the Dutch used common sense.

Le Pen is a lot more dangerous and really nothing more than a fascist blockhead. Her chances to win are a lot higher than those of Wilders. France has always been a hotbed for racial tensions, with many no-go areas in the Banlieues of big French Cities, controlled by immigrants, mostly Muslim. This volcano is ready to erupt any given moment and minor eruptions already happened several times in the past. It is a complicated world, that

[Naam]

38 minutes ago, siam2007 said:

Unlike the rest of the right-wingers, he is pro-LGBT

i could not verify the claim of a gay Dutch friend [quote:] "Geert is as gay as they come! and that's true the reason he is islamophobe."

[Aforek]

45 minutes ago, siam2007 said:

 

Le Pen is a lot more dangerous and really nothing more than a fascist blockhead. Her chances to win are a lot higher than those of Wilders. France has always been a hotbed for racial tensions, with many no-go areas in the Banlieues of big French Cities, controlled by immigrants, mostly Muslim. This volcano is ready to erupt any given moment and minor eruptions already happened several times in the past. It is a complicated world, that

Congratulations for Dutch people; what is called "populist" have lost again, as they will lose in France and Germany

yes , Le Pen is dangerous, I hate her, but for me first for economics reason and for her lies  ; don't worry, she will lose ; French are attached to Europe and the Euro

Vive l'Europe

[siam2007]

9 minutes ago, Naam said:

i could not verify the claim of a gay Dutch friend [quote:] "Geert is as gay as they come! and that's true the reason he is islamophobe."

 

He is married though admittedly that does not mean much (in Muslim countries almost all gay men are married as otherwise they would risk to be killed).

At least the LGBT crowd does not kill others that are not LGBT

[Grouse]

2 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Even if the elections results go as many of us (myself included) hope, the right may claim two victories, of a sort. The first, being seen as a major alternative, and a credible threat to the current government and order of things. The second, forcing the current government to change its rhetoric and stance (even if temporarily and to a degree) with regard to some of the issues debated.

 

Objecting to right wing politics is one thing, underestimating their potential is another. In this sense, referencing other examples from around the World can serve as a valuable reminder with regard to political predictions.

Which is why credible opposition is always good

[Grouse]

1 hour ago, siam2007 said:

Wilders is not your average fascist blockhead. Actually he is quite smart and does differentiate. Interesting to read about him on wiki. Unlike the rest of the right-wingers, he is pro-LGBT, for example. Still, it is a good sign and a good signal the Dutch used common sense.

Le Pen is a lot more dangerous and really nothing more than a fascist blockhead. Her chances to win are a lot higher than those of Wilders. France has always been a hotbed for racial tensions, with many no-go areas in the Banlieues of big French Cities, controlled by immigrants, mostly Muslim. This volcano is ready to erupt any given moment and minor eruptions already happened several times in the past. It is a complicated world, that

Indeed it is seriously worrying. It would tragic if Fillon let's FN in....

[Grouse]

36 minutes ago, siam2007 said:

 

He is married though admittedly that does not mean much (in Muslim countries almost all gay men are married as otherwise they would risk to be killed).

At least the LGBT crowd does not kill others that are not LGBT

Judging from the comments on the thread about USA lavatories, it's only a matter of time ?

[stevenl]

 
Even if the elections results go as many of us (myself included) hope, the right may claim two victories, of a sort. The first, being seen as a major alternative, and a credible threat to the current government and order of things. The second, forcing the current government to change its rhetoric and stance (even if temporarily and to a degree) with regard to some of the issues debated.
 
Objecting to right wing politics is one thing, underestimating their potential is another. In this sense, referencing other examples from around the World can serve as a valuable reminder with regard to political predictions.

Wilders policies are left wing, he is only called right wing because of his main point, anti Islam.

sent using Tapatalk

[Tawan Dok Krating Daeng]

4 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Even if the elections results go as many of us (myself included) hope, the right may claim two victories, of a sort. The first, being seen as a major alternative, and a credible threat to the current government and order of things. The second, forcing the current government to change its rhetoric and stance (even if temporarily and to a degree) with regard to some of the issues debated.

 

Objecting to right wing politics is one thing, underestimating their potential is another. In this sense, referencing other examples from around the World can serve as a valuable reminder with regard to political predictions.

 

It is a noteworthy beginning of the end of extreme national chauvinism mixed with the obligatory racism that we have endured with the Brexit/Trump anomalies. If France and Germany follow, then it will hasten the demise of these nihilists. I think that fatigue with the lunatic fringe, not matter how bouffant their hair is increasing and will play into the removal of these stains and the fools who support them from serious power but I do believe that under-estimating such people is dangerous and a mistake that should not be repeated.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, Tawan Dok Krating Daeng said:

 

It is a noteworthy beginning of the end of extreme national chauvinism mixed with the obligatory racism that we have endured with the Brexit/Trump anomalies. If France and Germany follow, then it will hasten the demise of these nihilists. I think that fatigue with the lunatic fringe, not matter how bouffant their hair is increasing and will play into the removal of these stains and the fools who support them from serious power but I do believe that under-estimating such people is dangerous and a mistake that should not be repeated.

 

I think both France and Germany will not fall to Wilders equivalents, at least not on these elections. But, in the same way, IMO the main point is that such forces to gain traction and more so, legitimacy, by proving that they can challenge the current order of things. As to how things will pan out in the longer term, that significantly depends on which policies will be adopted and how issues (among those, immigration) will be dealt with.

[gamini]

Many of the posters on this forum have no idea what Islam is. They seem to think that all Muslims are fundamentalists. They probably,  don't even know that in actual fact,   most Muslims live under a non-religious government and are not fundamentalists. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population is very westernised  and even the mayor of the capital is a Christian. There's a huge difference between Arab, Malay, african, and other  Muslims.

[joecoolfrog]

This is obviously fake news, a host of Brexiters and assorted nut jobs have confidently predicted the downfall of mainstream governments in the Netherlands , France and Germany.

This to be followed by the collapse of the EU , England winning the cricket world cup and my girlfriend paying for dinner.

Have these people been decieving me ?

[siam2007]

On 16/03/2017 at 11:04 PM, gamini said:

Many of the posters on this forum have no idea what Islam is. They seem to think that all Muslims are fundamentalists. They probably,  don't even know that in actual fact,   most Muslims live under a non-religious government and are not fundamentalists. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population is very westernised  and even the mayor of the capital is a Christian. There's a huge difference between Arab, Malay, african, and other  Muslims.

 

 

Not any longer !

And maybe you forget the demonstrations against the Christian governor and a lot of calls to kill him. You call the Indonesian government non-religious? LMAO !

They impose all new hardline Muslim bills that you can think of: making alcohol illegal (even there r 30 Million non-Muslims in Indonesia), anti-homo bill a.s.o.

Shariah laws are applied to non-Muslims too in many areas of such called "moderate" countries, incl Indo.

They close down all churches (as it happened in Bandung) for no legal reason. There is no such thing as "moderate" islam, it is as simple as that. Oh, and I have lived in such countries for many years, so don't tell me that I don't know what I am talking about. It is getting worse, and A LOT WORSE by the day...... in 10 years from now, large parts of Indo will be a no-go-area for "non-believers". 20 years ago, it was such an openminded and friendly country with smiles everywhere when a BULE came around. Now in many cases you will experience looks that could kill you or outright threats when they just see you. Ask those numerous foreign Expats that have left the country recently, or at least moved to big cities as they could not stand the tensions in smaller towns anymore. Ask them, hear this? I can provide you with many names and email addresses if you don't believe it. Do it before you talk about things you have no clue about