‘For too long we have had too much immigration’: Voters in Holland react to election win of ‘Dutch Trump’ Geert Wilders… whose rise to power has left the once liberal nation deeply divided

•  Residents under the age of 30 spoken to were overwhelmingly against Wilders
•  Away from Amsterdam support for Wilders was much greater among residents

The election victory for anti-migration Geert Wilders and his Eurosceptic supporters has left Holland deeply divided.

Wilders, known as the ‘Dutch Trump’, is now trying to form a coalition Government and clamp down on immigration. Wilders has previously said that he wants to ban mosques and Islamic schools.

In Amsterdam, the largest city in Holland, with a population of more than one million, with diverse communities coming from 176 different original nationalities, it has caused concern in some quarters.

Residents under the age of 30 spoken to by MailOnline were overwhelmingly against Wilders.

Student Anna De-Groot, 21, told MailOline: ‘I think he is just very bad news for this country. ‘I don’t support anything that he wants, and I don’t think many other people my age want him in power.

‘There will be a lot of people in this city who will be opposed to him. It is a very liberal city and those who voted for him come from the small villages, and not the city.’

Whereas older working class voters are more supportive, with market stall holder Fred Junior, 59, stating that he fully endorsed Wilders and his plans to limit immigration.

‘If you want to be given a house here in Amsterdam there is a 15-20 year waiting list. The city is too overcrowded and what Wilders wants to do makes sense.’

Student Anna De-Groot, 21, told MailOline: ‘I think he is just very bad news for this country’ 

Fred Junior, 59, stated that he fully endorsed Wilders and his plans to limit immigration

Student Sophia Malla, 20, from Rotterdam, said she supported Wilders as she was disillusioned with the last Prime Minister

Wilders, known as the ‘ Dutch Trump’, is now trying to form a coalition Government and implement some of his more radical policies, including clamping down on immigration and banning mosques

The election victory for anti-migration Geert Wilders and his Eurosceptic supporters has left Holland deeply divided. Pictured: Amsterdam

Mr Junior, who runs the family cheese stall Elza’s, next to one of the city’s famous canals, said he backs Wilders to bring a new direction to Dutch politics.

‘For too long we have had too much immigration, and he is the only person who has said anything about trying to bring the number of people coming here down.’

Utility worker Marvin Tellegde, 43, said he believes Wilders will have to tone down his rhetoric if he wants to succeed.

‘He will have to work with others and they will not accept some of his more outrageous ideas. If they can calm him down then there is a chance he can govern.

‘I do think this vote is split between the cities and the country areas. People in the city do not vote for him, but those in quieter areas like what he has to say’

But retired publisher Hubert Vanderkle, 67, said he did not vote for Wilders and said he would have had little support in Amsterdam which has a high immigrant population.

‘I am not sure he will be able to lead us, but if he does he will have to tone down some of what he wants to do.

‘If the other parties are going to work with him then he will not be able to be so far right. He also has to work with other European leaders and they will not take kindly to what he has to say on Islam.’

Chiz De-Groot , 24, said:  ‘I hate the man and I don’t want him to be in charge of this country. He is bad news for anyone who is not old and white.’

Another student was equally uncomplimentary about Wilders.

‘He is a far-right lunatic,’ said the 23 year old who wouldn’t be named.

But delicatessen worker Joella Wijntuin, 25, said:’ I am not totally against him and would give him a chance. Some of the things he has said in the past he will never be able to do.

Joella Wijntuin, 25, said:’ I am not totally against him and would give him a chance’

In Amsterdam (pictured), the largest city in Holland, with a population of more than one million, with a diverse communities coming from 176 different original nationalities, it has caused concern in some quarters

Retired publisher Hubert Vanderkle, 67, said he did not vote for Wilders and said he would have had little support in Amsterdam, which has a high immigrant population while utility worker Marvin Tellegde, 43, said he believes Wilders will have to tone down his rhetoric to succeed

Mr Junior said ‘If you want to be given a house here in Amsterdam (pictured) there is a 15-20 year waiting list. The city is too overcrowded and what Wilders wants to do makes sense’

‘He has talked about leaving the European Union, but that will never happen. Look how it worked out for the UK. People here will not want to leave Europe as they can’t see any benefit.’

Flower seller Ed Bruning, 60, said Wilders has already begun to tone down his more inflammatory anti Islam views.

‘I think he has to be given a chance. I know he has said a lot of controversial things, but they are just words. When it comes to putting them into practice it is another matter.

‘He is going to have to work with a coalition and they will not allow some of the things that he has said he wants to do. I’m happy to give him a chance and see what happens.’

Restaurant worker Szilvia Volgyi, 44, moved to Amsterdam 13 years ago from her native Hungary.

She was less than thrilled that someone with far right views could be the country’s leader. 

‘I’ve come from Victor Orban (Hungary’s far right prime minister) to this,’ she said on the steps of the Mio restaurant. I’m not a happy with the result.’

Away from Amsterdam, known for its liberal attitude, support for Wilders was much greater among residents of smaller cities and towns.

Student Sophia Malla, 20, from Rotterdam, said she supported Wilders as she was disillusioned with the last Prime Minister, in particular Mark Rutte’s decisions during the Covid pandemic.

She said: ‘I want to give Wilders a chance. He cannot be any worse than out last Prime Minister. He was terrible in the pandemic when we had a 9pm curfew. The whole handling of the Covid was terrible, and they did not know what they were doing.

‘Wilders does have some extreme views, but he has been in politics for a long time and this is now his chance.’

The psychology student added: ‘ I know not a lot of young people do not support him, but among my friends they voted for him’

Also in Rotterdam a 50-year-old shaven headed man who gave his name as Harold smiled broadly when asked about Wilders election triumph.

Flower seller Ed Bruning, 60, said Wilders has already begun to tone down his more inflammatory anti Islam views

Restaurant worker Szilvia Volgyi, 44, moved to Amsterdam 13 years ago from her native Hungary. She was less than thrilled that someone with far right views could be the country’s leader

Residents under the age of 30 spoken to by MailOnline were overwhelmingly against Wilders. Pictured: Amsterdam

‘Of course, I support him. He is for the Dutch people. I like what he has to say and the way he is standing up to stop immigration. Almost a quarter of the population voted for him. The people want him.

‘There has been too much and he has to make a stand. If he can’t, then no one else will. Almost a quarter of the population voted for him. The people want him.

His partner Lynda, who did not want to give her surname, agreed that Holland needs to take a new direction under the premiership of Wilders.

‘He should be given a chance,’ she said.

Lynda, who is wheelchair bound, said she supported Wilders over his plans to make transport free for the elderly and improve health care.

‘People only focus on that he is anti-Islam, but there are other policies that will have a greater effect and help the people here. It is easy to say he is a far right, but that is only because he is willing to speak up on immigration.

‘A lot of people like what he has been saying on the cost of living and how expensive it is now here.’

Another Rotterdam resident who asked not to be named was a 28-year-old mother from the Ukraine.

‘I have been here eight years and support all that he says about stopping the rise of Islam, said the young mum.

‘I think he is right on that and also that he wants the country to leave the European Union.

‘The Dutch people, and I a now a passport holder, should be able to decide on what they want to spend their money and not let anyone else decide.

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