Geert Wilders

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hands over the flag of a military unit on the occasion of the Air Forces Day against the background of Ukraine's Air Force's F-16 fighter jets in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, on Aug. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

The EU beat COVID and ditched Russian energy. Now it must learn to live without US security help

The European Union is getting good at adapting to unprecedented circumstances. Over the last five years, the 27 member countries have pulled together to fund the purchase of tens of millions of vaccines and devised a massive recovery fund to resuscitate economies ravaged by the pandemic.

The leader of Austria's Freedom Party, Herbert Kickl, addresses a news conference, in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, Jan 7, 2025. Herbert Kickl received a mandate Monday to try to form a new government. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Far-right leader pledges to ‘govern Austria honestly’ and makes demands of potential partner

Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen addresses the media during a news conference at the presidential office, in Vienna, Austria, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

A far-right leader could soon take the helm in EU member country Austria. Here’s why it matters

Austria's Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl leaves the presidential office, in Vienna, Austria, Monday, Jan. 06, 2025. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader)

Austrian far right gets mandate to try to lead a government for the first time since World War II

Nicolien van Vroonhoven of the NSC party arrives at the official residence of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 15, 2024, for crisis talks after the government's controversial assessment of last week's violence before and after the soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Phil Nijhuis)

Dutch coalition survives crisis over top official resignation decrying offensive comments

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FILE - Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, takes his seat at the high security court at Schiphol, near Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Dutch lawmaker Wilders wants to deport those convicted of violence against Israeli soccer fans

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, right, sits next to Health Minister Fleur Agema, center, and Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans, left, as he listens to Dutch King Willem-Alexander outlining the new government's policy plans and budget for the coming year in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Dutch government led by hard right asks for formal opt-out from EU migration rules

Dutch King Willem-Alexander, seated next to Queen Maxima, outlines the new government's policy plans and budget for the coming year in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

The new hard-right Dutch coalition pledges stricter limits on asylum

Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, takes his seat at the high security court at Schiphol, near Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, to hear the verdict against two Pakistani men on charges of threatening Wilders. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

A Dutch court convicts 2 Pakistani men over death threats to anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders

Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, takes his seat at the high security court at Schiphol, near Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, where two Pakistani men go on trial, likely in their absence, on charges of threatening anti-Islam lawmaker Wilders, whose Party for Freedom won national elections last year. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

A Pakistani religious leader is tried in his absence for allegedly threatening Geert Wilders

Prime Minister Dick Schoof arrives for a cabinet meeting of the new government in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The Netherlands has a different prime minister for the first time in 14 years as Dutch King Willem-Alexander swore in the country’s new government Tuesday, more than seven months after elections dominated by a far-right, anti-Islam party. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

New Dutch leader pledges to cut immigration as the opposition vows to root out racists in cabinet

Dutch King Willem-Alexander, center right, Prime Minister Dick Schoof, center left, ministers and deputy ministers of the new Dutch government pose for a group picture at royal palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Remko de Waal/Pool Photo via AP)

Dutch king swears in a new government 7 months after far-right party won elections

FILE - Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders of the PVV, or Party for Freedom, is interviewed after casting his ballot for the European election in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday June 6, 2024. The four parties negotiating to form a coalition government in the Netherlands have reached agreement on a new team of Cabinet ministers, far-right leader Geert Wilders said Tuesday, June 11, 2024. It's another key step toward forming the first Dutch government led by a far-right party Wilders, whose Party for Freedom won national elections more than six months ago, did not immediately give details. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

4 Dutch parties say they’ve reached agreement on ministers in a new right-wing government

Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders of the PVV, or Party for Freedom, casts his ballot for the European election in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Voters in the European Union are set to elect lawmakers starting Thursday June 6th for the bloc's parliament. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Dutch exit poll suggests neck and neck race between far right and center left in EU election

In this image taken from video, Dick Schoof attends a meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, May 28, 2024. A former head of the Dutch spy agency and counterterrorism office was tipped Tuesday to become the Netherlands' next prime minister, leading a four-party coalition headed by Geert Wilders' hard right Party for Freedom. Dick Schoof, the 67-year-old former head of the General Intelligence and Security Service and currently the top civil servant at the Ministry of Security and Justice, was meeting with the leaders of the four parties and was expected to be announced as their choice to become prime minister at a late afternoon press conference. (RTL Nieuws via AP)

Former intel agency chief set to become the Netherlands’ next prime minister in hard right coalition

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media, two days after winning the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 24, 2023. Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders is on the verge of brokering a four-party coalition in the Netherlands six months after coming in first in national elections, opening the prospect that yet another European Union nation will veer toward the hard right weeks ahead of EU-wide elections. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Dutch coalition government dominated by an anti-Islam party struggles to find prime minister

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media, two days after winning the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 24, 2023. Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders is on the verge of brokering a four-party coalition in the Netherlands six months after coming in first in national elections, opening the prospect that yet another European Union nation will veer toward the hard right weeks ahead of EU-wide elections. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

The Netherlands veers sharply to the right with a new government dominated by party of Geert Wilders

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media, two days after winning the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 24, 2023. Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders is on the verge of brokering a four-party coalition in the Netherlands six months after coming in first in national elections, opening the prospect that yet another European Union nation will veer toward the hard right weeks ahead of EU-wide elections. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

A Dutch anti-Islam party says it’s brokered a provisional coalition deal for a hard-right government

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 24, 2023. Two days of behind-closed doors talks between four Dutch political leaders appear to have forced a breakthrough in negotiations to form a new ruling coalition nearly four months after a general election won by Wilders. While the exact contours of a new coalition Cabinet remain unclear, Kim Putters, who led the talks, believes that the parties are now ready to hammer out a deal. Putters was writing up a report Wednesday March 13, 2024 that he will present to lawmakers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Geert Wilders taps 2 new officials to lead the next round of coalition talks after his election win

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 24, 2023. Two days of behind-closed doors talks between four Dutch political leaders appear to have forced a breakthrough in negotiations to form a new ruling coalition nearly four months after a general election won by Wilders. While the exact contours of a new coalition Cabinet remain unclear, Kim Putters, who led the talks, believes that the parties are now ready to hammer out a deal. Putters was writing up a report Wednesday March 13, 2024 that he will present to lawmakers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Geert Wilders says it is ‘constitutionally wrong’ that he had to sacrifice his leadership ambitions

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 24, 2023. Two days of behind-closed doors talks between four Dutch political leaders appear to have forced a breakthrough in negotiations to form a new ruling coalition nearly four months after a general election won by Wilders. While the exact contours of a new coalition Cabinet remain unclear, Kim Putters, who led the talks, believes that the parties are now ready to hammer out a deal. Putters was writing up a report Wednesday March 13, 2024 that he will present to lawmakers on Thursday. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Geert Wilders says he doesn’t have support of likely coalition partners to become Dutch premier

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, known as PVV, answers questions to the media after announcement of the first preliminary results of general elections in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Voters across the Netherlands have veered far to the right politically. The shift has been triggered by economic and cultural anxieties that have whipped up fears about immigrants. It's an extreme example of a trend being felt across the continent that could tilt the outcome of this year's European Union parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

The Netherlands is having trouble forming a new far-right government. Here’s why

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, known as PVV, answers questions to the media after announcement of the first preliminary results of general elections in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Voters across the Netherlands have veered far to the right politically. The shift has been triggered by economic and cultural anxieties that have whipped up fears about immigrants. It's an extreme example of a trend being felt across the continent that could tilt the outcome of this year's European Union parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Dutch coalition talks falter as 1 out of the 4 leaders in talks to form a new government walks out

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, known as PVV, casts his ballot in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Voters across the Netherlands have veered far to the right politically. The shift has been triggered by economic and cultural anxieties that have whipped up fears about immigrants. It's an extreme example of a trend being felt across the continent that could tilt the outcome of this year's European Union parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Mike Corder, File)

Immigration issue challenges delicate talks to form new Dutch government

FILE - Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, known as PVV, casts his ballot in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Voters across the Netherlands have veered far to the right politically. The shift has been triggered by economic and cultural anxieties that have whipped up fears about immigrants. It's an extreme example of a trend being felt across the continent that could tilt the outcome of this year's European Union parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Mike Corder, File)

A quiet Dutch village holds clues as European politics veer to the right

FILE - Politician Geert Wilders listenes, as the court delivers it's verdict against a former Pakistan cricketer accused of incitement to kill, at the high security court building near Schiphol airport, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Far right Dutch election winner Geert Wilders on Monday withdrew proposed legislation calling for a ban on mosques and the Quran — in a concession to potential coalition partners a day before talks to form the next government were set to resume. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong), File)

Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders has withdrawn a 2018 proposal to ban mosques and the Quran

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Far-right Dutch election winner Wilders wants to be prime minister, promises to respect constitution

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Dutch official says Geert Wilders and 3 other party leaders should discuss forming a new coalition

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, waits for the start of a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

A new Dutch parliament has been sworn in after Wilders’ victory in the national election 2 weeks ago

Caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte, of the Netherlands, speaks during a plenary session at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Dutch plans to tackle climate change are in doubt after the election victory of a far-right party

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Preliminary Dutch government talks delayed as official seeking coalitions says he needs more time

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Dutch election winner Wilders taps former center-left minister to look at possible coalitions

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Wilders ally overseeing first stage of Dutch coalition-building quits over fraud allegation

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right party PVV, or Party for Freedom, talks to the media after a meeting with speaker of the House Vera Bergkamp, two days after Wilders won the most votes in a general election, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

The Netherlands’ longtime ruling party says it won’t join a new government following far-right’s win

Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, known as PVV, answers questions to media after announcement of the first preliminary results of general elections in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Europe’s far-right populists buoyed by Wilders’ win in Netherlands, hoping the best is yet to come