Anti-Islamist Politician Soars in Dutch Election
Thursday, June 10, 2010
By Patrick Goodenough, International Editor

Dutch lawmaker and Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders, center, is cheered by supporters on election night in The Hague on Wednesday June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Cynthia Boll)


(CNSNews.com) – Six years after launching a one-person campaign, the Dutch lawmaker whose warnings about radical Islam have stoked controversy worldwide on Thursday was set to be a possible kingmaker in the next coalition government.

Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) shot to third place in the 150-seat Tweede Kamer, or lower house of parliament, increasing its representation from nine seats to 24, according to preliminary results from Wednesday’s general election.

The result – considerably better than the Freedom Party’s poll figures during the election campaign – will shock Muslims in Europe and beyond who view Wilders as an archetype “Islamophobeâ€