Brexit, now Nexit, claims the pundits as Geert Wilders finally wins an election. But such is the damage done by foreign puppet Mark Rutte, that Wilders cannot do anything now. Just as the new leader in Argentina will fail to turn around the trajectory – and Nigel Farage with Brexit could not turn back the clock on what was done in the UK, so will Wilders likely fail to heal the Netherlands. If anything, he might be successful at unseating unelected people in the EU commission and bring the EU one step closer to a final breakup – unless the EU wants to become so desperate that it pursues members like Egypt, Morocco and all of North Africa – which is seemingly a fantasy of the German left.
As the Netherlands grapples with the aftermath of a tumultuous decade under the leadership of Mark Rutte, many have turned to Geert Wilders, hoping that his brand of populism will provide a much-needed course correction. However, a closer examination of Wilders’ track record reveals that he is not the man to undo the damage done by Rutte. In fact, Wilders’ own actions have contributed significantly to the problems that now plague the country.
Wilders’ support for Rutte’s coalition government in 2010 was a pivotal moment in Dutch politics. By lending his support to Rutte, Wilders legitimized Rutte’s far-right agenda and enabled him to implement policies that have had a devastating impact on Dutch society.
One of the most glaring examples of this is Rutte’s treatment of the country’s farmers. During the pandemic, Rutte imposed draconian measures on the farming industry, including mass culling of livestock and forced buyouts of farms. These measures were met with widespread protests from farmers, who felt that they were being unfairly targeted.
Wilders, who has long claimed to champion the interests of the working class, remained silent on this issue. His failure to speak out against Rutte’s attack on the farmers further eroded his credibility as a defender of Dutch values.
Another area where Wilders has failed to live up to his promises is in his handling of police brutality. During Rutte’s tenure, there have been numerous instances of police officers using excessive force against protesters and civilians alike. Wilders has repeatedly condemned these incidents, but he has taken no concrete action to address the problem.
In fact, Wilders has often been quick to defend the police, even when they have been accused of wrongdoing. This suggests that Wilders is not truly committed to protecting the rights of all citizens, and that he is willing to overlook police brutality when it suits his political agenda.
The damage done by Mark Rutte is extensive and manifold. He has overseen a period of austerity that has disproportionately affected the poor and vulnerable. He has cracked down on civil liberties in the name of security. And he has alienated large segments of Dutch society with his divisive rhetoric.
The Netherlands is in a mess today because the people passively accepted a decade of abuse from Mark Rutte. It seems unlikely that this nation will change course now.
Geert Wilders claims that he can undo the damage done by Rutte, but his track record suggests otherwise. He has been complicit in many of Rutte’s worst policies, and he has shown no willingness to challenge the status quo. The Netherlands have gone too far down the track to turn around. It is a little like Brexit: The UK could not undone the havoc Tony Blair has wrecked on the country.
