In the Netherlands the right-wing populists of Europe has failed the test
Far-right populism failed in his first test in Europe this year after the conservative party leader Geert Wilders came in second place on carefully conducted elections in the Netherlands.
Prime Minister mark Rutte took the stage in the Hague on Wednesday evening to claim victory, amid the wild applause and whistles from his cheering supporters.
Considering 94% of the vote, party VVD Rutte, according to forecasts, received the 33rd place out of 150, ahead of Wilder's PVV party, which won 20 seats, just one more than the Christian democratic appeal party D66. The voter turnout was 81%, which is the highest indicator over the past three decades.
The election was widely seen as a test of the populist right-wing sentiment in Europe, ahead of presidential elections in April and a national vote in Germany in September. Wilders, who is firmly against mass immigration and the European Union, made a defiant speech Wednesday night, saying that he "is one of the winners." During his speech to supporters Rutte said that many European leaders have called to congratulate him on his victory.
In voting have taken part more than 28 political parties, and because no party won a majority of seats, you will need to create a multi-party ruling coalition. As expected, the final results will not be known until Friday, said the head of elections mark Westerhoff. Of the 228 municipalities only 22 of the report.
When the results are official, Rutte will begin negotiations on government formation. Other potential coalition partners include the party "Green left" and "socialist party", which is in accordance with initial results ready to win 14 seats each.
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