In a surprising turn of events, the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders emerged victorious in the 2023 Dutch election, securing the highest number of seats in the parliament. The PVV is set to win 37 out of the 150 seats, more than doubling the party's 2021 tally.

The success of far-right parties in Europe can be attributed to their focus on core issues such as immigration and multiculturalism, as well as their populist message criticizing political elites and advocating for popular sovereignty. The PVV, under Wilders' leadership, embodies these traits.

During the election campaign, economic precarity also played a significant role. Wilders linked economic and cultural matters, asserting that the welfare of the "native" population should be safeguarded by curbing immigration and limiting benefits for certain ethnic minorities.

This "welfare chauvinist" stance is in line with the typical rhetoric of far-right parties, appealing to culturally conservative voters who seek economic protection from the state, thereby competing with left-leaning ideologies. Interestingly, while the Green-Labour alliance led by Frans Timmermans secured the second position, left-wing parties in general experienced a decline in their collective vote share.

To understand the surge in support for Wilders, it is crucial to consider the competition between him and his closest rivals. Two key factors stand out.

Firstly, at the beginning of the campaign, the leader of the center-right VVD party, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, signaled a potential coalition with the PVV, breaking away from the party's previous stance. Mark Rutte, Yeşilgöz-Zegerius's predecessor, had refrained from collaborating with the PVV since 2012 when Wilders withdrew his support from the Rutte-led minority government.

Secondly, the VVD made immigration a prominent issue in their campaign, effectively legitimizing Wilders' agenda. Rutte's motivation for the collapse of his previous cabinet was rooted in party-political divisions over asylum, with his party advocating a stricter stance. The VVD's manifesto for 2023 emphasized the need to "regain control" over migration. Research suggests that when mainstream parties move closer to the positions of far-right parties in an attempt to compete, it is the far right that tends to benefit.

Wilders adopted a shrewd campaign strategy as well. Notably, he adopted a less confrontational tone and indicated a willingness to compromise on some of his more radical demands during coalition talks. This more moderate approach presented Wilders as a viable option for governance.

However, closer examination of the PVV's manifesto reveals little genuine change. While the party dropped its demand for unconditional withdrawal from the EU, it instead proposed a binding "Nexit" referendum. Many radical ideas were retained, including a central focus on a staunch anti-immigration policy. The PVV claims that the Netherlands has suffered due to an "asylum tsunami and mass immigration" and aims to ban Islamic schools, the Qur'an, and mosques as measures to halt "Islamisation" of the country.

Despite these controversial policies, Wilders has become an established figure in Dutch politics. As the longest-serving member of the Dutch parliament, he positioned himself as a "reasonable" alternative to the more extreme Forum for Democracy led by Thierry Baudet, which lost a significant number of its seats in the election.

The rise of far-right politics signifies a normalization of such ideologies. In 2000, when the Austrian Freedom Party entered a coalition, it faced condemnation from other countries and diplomatic sanctions from the EU. However, in 2023, it has become increasingly common for European countries to be governed by far-right parties, often in collaboration with center-right parties. It is anticipated that the European Parliament elections in June will witness a significant number of votes going to far-right parties once again.

This situation poses a moral obligation for mainstream politicians to uphold liberal democratic norms. While concerns regarding cultural change and immigration can be valid, there are inherent problems with the far right's concept of a "leading culture." Society is inherently diverse, comprising individuals and groups with differing values and preferences. It is essential for mainstream parties to recognize this and refrain from adopting the anti-liberal framework promoted by the far right, which assumes a homogenous "general will" among voters.