Geert Wilders: Meet the far-right populist set to become Netherlands PM who once backed Nupur Sharma

Wilders has often been compared to former US President Donald Trump for his swept-back blonde hairstyle.

Dutch far-right populist Geert Wilders is all set to become the next leader of the Netherlands following an election upset for his Freedom Party (PVV), according to exit polls. He  had supported suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad. In an interview with India Today TV in 2022, Wilders slammed the statement released by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Nupur Sharma.  "I would say look at yourself in the mirror before you decide what you think about India or any other country. The OIC released a declaration about human rights and all these nations are attacking India. They put Sharia law above democracy and human rights," Wilders had told India Today.

Wilders also hailed the Indian government's decision to dilute Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

Born in 1963 in southern Venlo, Wilders grew up in a Catholic family with one brother and two sisters. His mother was reportedly half-Indonesian. According to agencies, he developed an interest in politics in the 1980s. Wilders entered politics in 1998 in the Liberal VVD party. During his early days in politics he started dying his brown hair blonde, according to News18. He was married to a Hungarian woman but they had no children.

Despite being in Dutch politics for 25 years, Wilders never held any office. According to reports, Wilders may lead coalition government talks and has a good chance of becoming the prime minister.  The November 22 exit poll showed the PVV in a clear lead, 10 seats ahead of its closest rival, Frans Timmermans' Labour/Green Left combination.

Also read | Wilders is anti-Islam firebrand known as Dutch Donald Trump

Wilders has often been compared to former US President Donald Trump for his swept-back blonde hairstyle and also for his strong views against immigrants. Called “Dutch Trump”, his anti-Islam, anti-immigrant, and anti-EU message seems to have finally won him the first place at the polls.

From calling Moroccans “scum” to holding competitions for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, Wilders reportedly always tried to prevent “Islamic invasion” of the West. According to Reuters, Wilders made strong anti-EU comments in the past. But during the poll campaign, he moderated his tone as he will have to work with pro-EU parties to form a coalition. A Dutch appeals court in 2020 upheld Wilders’s conviction for collectively insulting Moroccan people, but struck down another charge of inciting discrimination.

Nupur Sharma is a hero who spoke nothing but the truth. The whole world should be proud of her. She deserves the Nobel Prize. And India is a Hindu nation, the Indian government is obliged to strongly defend Hindus against Islamic hate and violence. #NupurSharma#India#Islampic.twitter.com/kVkQjEr3RN

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— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) October 9, 2022

However, he stuck to strict anti-immigration, Dutch-first approach, winning his PVV party its largest support in its 17-year existence. "The Dutch hope that the people can get their country back and that we will ensure that the tsunami of asylum-seekers and immigration is reduced," Wilders said in his victory speech.