Geert Wilders, a far-right politician known as the "Dutch Donald Trump," has emerged with a surprising triumph in the Dutch general elections. His PVV Freedom Party achieved a major victory, winning 37 seats out of 150, more than double the seats it secured in the previous election. Defying predictions, Wilders and his party outperformed the Labour-Green alliance led by Frans Timmermans and the conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, which slumped to 24 seats.

The 60-year-old Wilders has faced numerous death threats and has been under police protection for nearly two decades. He has a history of controversial behavior, including convictions for inciting hate speech and insulting people of Moroccan descent. His anti-immigration and anti-EU policies, as well as his fiery rhetoric, have earned him comparisons to Donald Trump.

Born in the city of Venlo in 1963, Wilders initially took an interest in politics in the 1980s, fascinated by the struggle for power and influence. However, his animosity towards Islam grew in the early 2000s, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the assassination of Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn. Wilders found a receptive audience among anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic voters who were searching for a champion.

In 2006, Wilders founded the PVV party, placing anti-Islam policies at the core of its agenda. He was known for equating Islam to Nazism and released a controversial film titled "Fitna" in 2008, which drew international criticism. Wilders was even banned from entering the UK in 2009 due to concerns over public safety. Although he was acquitted of inciting hatred, he continued to make provocative remarks, including calling Moroccans "scum."

Despite living under strict police protection, Wilders has made effective use of social media to disseminate his populist ideas to his more than 1.2 million followers. In the 2010 election, the PVV party gained significant ground, finishing third behind the VVD and the Labour party.

Wilders, an outspoken critic of the European Union, also advocates for a "Nexit," the Netherlands' exit from the EU. He aligned himself with France's Marine Le Pen to promote their nationalist agenda within the European Parliament. Le Pen was one of the first to congratulate Wilders on his recent electoral success.

While Wilders softened his anti-Islam and anti-EU stance during the 2023 general election campaign, emphasizing his commitment to all Dutch citizens, his party's manifesto remains uncompromising. The PVV calls for a ban on Islamic schools, mosques, and headscarves, as well as a reduction in immigration and asylum applications. They also advocate for a sovereign Netherlands with control over its own currency and border policies.

Now faced with the challenge of forming a government, Wilders must seek alliances with reluctant rivals. His victory has undoubtedly shaken the Dutch political landscape, raising questions about the future direction of the Netherlands and its relationship with the European Union.