In a significant electoral victory, Geert Wilders’ party recently emerged triumphant in Dutch elections, marking a watershed moment in western European politics. This victory highlights a shifting landscape where far-right parties are no longer confined to the political fringes but are increasingly becoming a dominant force within the mainstream.
One pivotal factor in Geert Wilders’ path to success was the decision by the conservative VVD party to consider Wilders’ party as a coalition partner. This choice prompted many voters to throw their support behind Wilders rather than the VVD, ultimately reshaping the political landscape.
The Netherlands is not alone in witnessing this trend. Across western Europe, more right-wing leaders are making similar decisions to accommodate far-right parties in coalition governments as a means of preserving their own political power. However, the recent experience of the VVD’s Dilan Yeşilgöz serves as a cautionary tale, as her party ended up in third place. This outcome underscores a lesson that extends beyond Dutch borders.
What we are witnessing is a new phase in far-right politics across western Europe. Far-right parties are no longer marginalized and can no longer be ignored by the political establishment. Instead, they are becoming an increasingly dominant part of the political mainstream.
The rise of far-right ideas, particularly on immigration, has permeated mainstream discourse throughout Europe. Conservative leaders are finding it challenging to justify excluding far-right parties from government when their policies and positions align closely. Voters often wonder why parties that share similar views are considered off-limits for coalition formation.
This trend was evident in Sweden, where a majority of supporters of two coalition parties preferred the far-right Sweden Democrats over the center-left Social Democrats. In the Netherlands, a similar situation unfolded, leading to a revolt within Dilan Yeşilgöz’s party when she rejected the idea of joining a right-wing government alongside Wilders.
The journey to this point has been long and marked by significant shifts. Far-right parties like Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ) and France’s National Front (FN) began gaining electoral ground in western Europe in the late 20th century. However, they remained relatively small with single-digit electoral support. The 21st century ushered in a new phase, as far-right ideas became part of mainstream discourse, even adopted by center-left parties like the Danish Social Democrats.
What sets this new era apart is twofold. Firstly, many right-wing parties have not only embraced far-right rhetoric but also adopted their policies, particularly on immigration. This shift has made the far right a “natural” coalition partner for these parties. Secondly, far-right parties have continued to grow electorally, now leading in several countries across Europe.
While liberal democracy remains the legal framework in the EU and its member states, it can no longer be assumed as the sole ideology in control. The defense and strengthening of liberal democratic values, such as pluralism and minority rights, have become imperative in the face of the increasingly dominant far-right presence and the radicalized political mainstream that has normalized it.
Geert Wilders’ victory in the Netherlands is indicative of a significant transformation in western European politics. The far-right is no longer on the sidelines but has firmly established itself within the political mainstream, reshaping the dynamics of coalition-building and forcing a reevaluation of priorities for conservative leaders across the continent. The defense of liberal democratic values has become a pressing concern in today’s Europe.
