Geert Wilders, the far-right, anti-Islam, anti-immigration politician, is on track to achieve a resounding victory in the upcoming Dutch parliamentary elections. This momentous event could be one of the most significant political upsets in Dutch history since World War II, with far-reaching consequences for Europe.

According to an exit poll published by national broadcaster NOS, Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom has won 35 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, more than double the 17 seats they won in the last election. This result puts Wilders in a position to lead talks to form a new ruling coalition and become the country's first hard-right prime minister during political upheaval. The final official results are expected today.

The 60-year-old Wilders has been in Dutch politics for decades. He started his career as a member of former Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s liberal group. Still, he broke away to serve as an independent lawmaker before setting up the anti-migrant Freedom Party, known as the PVV.

The PVV’s manifesto included calls for bans on mosques, the Qur’an and Islamic headscarves in government buildings, and more. Wilders has called the Prophet Mohammad a “paedophile" and Islam a "fascist ideology" and "backward religion" and wants to ban mosques and the Quran in the Netherlands. Ostensibly, he has been facing death threats and has been under tight police protection since 2004.

During his victory speech, Wilders promised to end a "tsunami of asylum and immigration." He capitalised on the anti-immigration sentiment among the public, blaming the housing shortage on the influx of asylum seekers. He also tapped into the widespread concerns about the rising cost of living and the burdened healthcare system.

Wilders' victory came after Robert Fico, another anti-EU populist leader in Slovakia, returned to power and pledged to stop military aid to Ukraine and reduce immigration. Additionally, Italy elected Giorgia Meloni, leading to its most right-wing government since World War II.

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