After splitting with the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy party (VVD) in 2004 over whether Turkey should gain entry into the European Union, Geert Wilders served as a lone ranger MP until the 2006 general elections, in which his newly formed, right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) had a small miracle and captured nine seats, making it the fifth largest party in the Dutch lower house.

However, on June 10^th, 2010 an even greater miracle happened when Geert Wilder’s four years of persecution and threats from the Left and the Islamic communities of the Netherlands finally paid off. His party gained 15 seats, making it the third largest in the Netherlands and placing him center-stage to form a coalition with the new largest party (the party he ironically left 6 years ago), the VVD.

Mark Rutte, head of the VVD, has stated that he will explore the idea of creating a ruling coalition with Wilders. In this scenario, Wilders would not be Prime Minister, but would be placed in a highly strategic position.

Chances are the coalition forming process will be intense. There is much hostility between the PVV and the Labour Party (PvdA) (which actually lost three seats in the elections). Either the VVD will form a coalition with the PVV and the defeated Christian Democrats or the VVD will try to form a coalition with the Labour and other small Leftist parties. But the odds are more than in the Right’s favor, as the result from these elections was an enormous reaction against and perhaps even a mentality shift away from the Left, which means that the VVD is probably not going to form a coalition with the Leftist parties. The biggest obstacle to forming a right-wing government is the Christian Democratic Party, the former ruling party, which faced a humiliating defeat at the will of Dutch voters.

Lower Voter Turnout

It was reported that in spite these unstable economic times and the tensions associated with the rise of Islam, a meager 38% of eligible voters actually turned out to vote. But hidden in these numbers are some very good results for the Right. Even though only 38% turned out, the majority of the people that did so were inspired to vote for the Right. The Leftists stayed home. In the face of the bad weather (which was the claim for low voter turnout), the right-wing had the motivation the Left did not.

Consequences

Wilders is ready to do what it takes to be a part of the new government. He has said that he will even be willing to compromise on some key economic issues to do so.

At this point in time, it is too soon to say exactly how the coalition will form. There is a very good chance that we could wake up one morning and see that Wilders is in the new government, but we may never see this day. Regardless of the outcome for Wilders, however, this is an enormous victory for the Right. The once “progressive” Netherlands is now leading the European continent in the transition to the Right. Even more amazing is that Wilders represents the true Right – the Right that believes in national sovereignty, limited government, and cultural unity. Last December, Wilders was charged with violating hate speech laws. In his opening statement before the Dutch court, Wilders cited the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. Wilders is the sort of candidate that America needs to help bring her back to the orthodox principles she was founded on.

Let us pray for the continued revival of the West, and for future victories such as these in the Netherlands. This does not guarantee victory against the Islamic invasion or a reversal of the low-birth rate, but it is an enormous step in the correct direction for Vrijheid.

“If somethign is true, how can it be illegal?”-Geert Wilders

In WorldNetDaily, Illana Mercer nails Glenn Beck for his insinuation that Geert Wilders of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands is a fascist. Mercer bluntly states that unchecked Islamic immigration from the Third World will destroy Western Civilization in Europe within our lifetimes. "Moderate Islam" is a liberal fantasy.

"Demographics need not be destiny," says Mercer. Mark Steyn shies away from the most obvious solution (immigration restriction) to Western suicide. Wilders and other European nationalists have the backbone to address the issue. Unfortunately, Glenn Beck and many American conservatives have been hobbled by political correctness and would rather stand idly by and let Europe die than support brave men like Geert Wilders.

What would the New York Times and Huffington Post say about that? What about the Beltway cocktail circuit? Oh my ... they would call us a bunch names ... which they are going to do anyway.

Western men are losing our civilization because our pathetic leaders have discarded the concept of manliness. It is time for a new elite to "man up" and take our country back.

I like watching Glenn Beck. His focus on analysis makes the show more stimulating than typical evening news programs. I also like his willingness to focus on history and the totalitarian ideologies of the past century and how they relate to us today. That said, Beck completely blew it last night and lost quite a bit of credibility in my book. Watch the clip below to see what I mean.

In the clip, Beck says

Also, you have far right Dutch M.P. Geert Wilders. Last year, he was banned from the U.K. They said his presence could threaten community a harmony and therefore public safety. Last week, not only was he allowed into England, he was at the House of Lords, where he screened a film on the Quran.

The right and left are growing again in Europe. The left — listen carefully — the left in Europe is communism. The right is fascism, in Europe.

Clearly, Beck equates Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party with fascism, which is too absurd a claim to even warrant disproving. What is even more significant, in my view, is the tone with which he lamented Wilders’ being allowed in Britain to screen his documentary in the House of Lords. This is the same Glenn Beck who, just one year ago, had Wilders on his program to discuss infringements on free speech in Europe and to condemn the UK for banning him from screening the very same documentary in the very same chamber. The hypocrisy doesn’t seem to add up.

If something like this came from Rachel Maddow or Keith Olbermann, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But when it comes from a commentator who is supposed to be fighting in our corner, it’s unacceptable.

If you detest Glenn Beck’s sorry mischaracterization of this courageous, forthright politician and his objection to Wilders’ appearance at the House of Lords, contact him here and let him know how you feel. We have enough media personalities spreading lies and criticizing our freedoms without typically conservative commentators doing the same.

Read more at Atlas Shrugs.

An interesting confrontation recently took place a couple of days prior to Dutch local elections. All the candidates of the leading political parties of the Netherlands met on national television for one last debate before voters headed to the polls. Out of the seven or so political leaders on stage two were chosen to go head to head on a question that a decade ago could not even have been raised but has since come to dominate Dutch political discourse: Is Islam a threat to Dutch society?

The two men chosen for this debate truly represented polar opposites of Dutch society. On one side was Wouter Bos, former vice-premier and leader of social-democratic Party of Labor, a party that has been in power in some form of coalition or another for the majority of years since 1945. The party is credited with helping rebuild the Netherlands after the war and reshaping it into all of what the post-war Netherlands has come to represent: social liberalism, the welfare state, tolerance, and of course, multiculturalism. This is the establishment.

On the other side was Geert Wilders, a man currently under indictment by the Dutch government. A man who lives under twenty-four hour protection due to death threats and is routinely vilified by politicians and major press as a "fascist." A man who until recently was banned from even entering the United Kingdom. In other words, the anti-establishment.

Wouter Bos predictably answered that Islam poses no threat to Dutch society; there is room enough for everyone in the Netherlands.  Wilders retorted that Islam is indeed a threat, arguing that with it have come extremism, criminality, and lack of respect for western values. He called for a moratorium on immigration and for foreign criminals to be punished with lengthy prison sentences followed by deportation. "Enough is enough!" exclaimed Wilders to a mixture of cheers and boos.

The majority of the rest of the debate featured the other Dutch politicians bashing Wilders.  From the political left to the right Wilders was called and "extremist" and "dangerous." There was a call from one party to exclude Wilders from the political process. Then, at the end of the debate the moderators made known the result of a poll asking 'Who won the debate?' There was hushed silence followed by loud shock when it was announced that Wilders was voted overwhelmingly the winner. It seemed the Dutch politicians and Dutch people were of two completely different mindsets.

The results of the elections two days later are well known. Wilders’ party, the Party for Freedom, performed very well, becoming the largest party in Almere and the second biggest party in the capital of The Hague.  The media immediately proclaimed it a victory for the "far-right." The international media in particular reported the results with a sense of alarm, asking how such an "extremist" as Geert Wilders could possibly have widespread support in such a tolerant country as the Netherlands?

It is a valid question. Of course, Geert Wilders is really neither "far-right" nor an "extremist", but media regularly portray him that way and I would wager the majority of Dutch public believe it. So why do so many support him?

It is because they are reacting to extreme conditions. By extreme conditions one may be inclined to think I mean the murder of Theo van Gogh in broad daylight for being critical of Islam, the Hofstad terrorist network, or the fact that a Dutch politician is forced to live under constant security for fear of his life.  That is all true, but what I really mean are the fear and injustices many Dutch must face on a daily basis.

Dutch women are harassed and called whores when walking through Muslim neighborhoods. Dutch who have contributed through high taxes their whole lives to social services are put last in line behind immigrants. Dutch who are attacked by gangs of immigrant youth for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Dutch who must fear their house being broken into or car stolen because criminals are given a slap on the wrist and released back on the streets. I could go on and on. This is what creates true terror for many Dutch citizens.

Naturally, critics would be quick to point out that not all Dutch suffer these injustices. This is true. The Dutch working and middle class suffer them but those who drive to work, live in rich neighborhoods, and only travel in exclusive circles have little to fear. They don’t live near asylum centers, ride the tram through sketchy areas late at night, or attend “inclusive” schools. They live in a different world. Therefore it is little wonder that this elite class which comprises the Dutch political establishment is amazed and dumbfounded by the popular appeal of Wilders.

The political establishment may not understand the problems of ordinary Dutch but they have come to realize that Dutch voters want to hear about immigration and law and order. As a result, many parties such as the Christian Democrats have recently come to adopt Wilders-style slogans about crime and immigration. Even the social-democrat Wouter Bos spoke during the debate about the need to crack down on crime and the problem of criminality among foreigners.  Unfortunately for them, however, the Dutch are not as stupid as they think and easily recognize insincerity. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that if the Christian Democrats and Party of Labor really wanted to do something about crime and immigration they'd have done it during their past four years in the ruling coalition government.

Therefore the people turn to Wilders because they’ve had enough. Enough of the unresponsive political establishment.  Enough of living in fear. Enough of paying for social parasites. Enough of living as foreigners in their own country. That is why when Wilders yells “enough is enough!” a million Dutch voices join him.

Geert Wilders is making gains in the Netherlands; according to Mariette Le Roux of the Sydney Morning Herald, Wilder’s Freedom Party is currently making strides in the Dutch political sphere:

“Dutch anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders celebrated a symbolic breakthrough on Thursday as his party won control of its first municipality in a show of strength ahead of June's general election.

"What is possible in The Hague and Almere is possible all over the country," Wilders said after his Party for Freedom (PVV) came first and second in the only two out of 394 municipalities it contested in local polls Wednesday.

"It's a springboard for our victory. We will become the biggest party in the Netherlands on June 9."

This represents a pivotal change since last year when Wilders was barred from Britain upon being invited to show his documentary on Islam, Fitna, in the House of Lords, as well as being charged with incitement of racial hatred in the Netherlands for expressing "inflammatory comments." Wilders will be screening his documentary in the House of Lords tomorrow since his ban has been lifted by the British government.

Geert Wilders is one of the few voices in Europe willing to defy the gods of multiculturalism and political correctness and pulls no punches when addressing the problems facing his homeland. He is a fierce patriot and he has paid dearly for it, as he cannot even walk the streets without a security escort. Upon meeting Herr Wilders last year at the Conservative Political Action Conference, I was stunned to see the rigorous security detail that followed his every move.

Despite this intense atmosphere, he struck me as quite congenial and approachable considering his political stature in European politics. Though his court battles are ongoing, they seem to only have helped Wilders' popularity rise in the minds of the Dutch voters. Hopefully this sentiment will come to fruition in form of a sweeping victory for the Dutch Freedom Party in the June parliamentary elections, in an electoral contest that will determine the future for the Dutch people.