(22 Nov 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Hague - 22 November 2023
1. People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) officials and members reacting to exit poll results, UPSOUND groans
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Amsterdam - 22 November 2023
2. Labor Party and Green Left officials and members reacting to exit poll results, UPSOUND cheers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Enschede - 22 November 2023
3. New Social Contract officials and members reacting to exit poll results, UPSOUND murmurs and cheers
STORYLINE:
Crowds gathered for election night events at some of the Netherlands' leading political parties on Wednesday.
Some reacted with cheers and others with groans as exit polls were announced, putting far-right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders on course for a landslide victory.
The predicted result was set to be one of the biggest political upsets in Dutch politics since World War II, and one that is bound to send shockwaves through Europe.
It puts Wilders in line to lead talks to form a new ruling coalition and possibly become the country’s prime minister at a time of political upheaval through much of Europe.
The exit poll published by the national broadcaster NOS said that Wilders’ Party for Freedom won 35 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, more than double the 17 he won at the last election.
The closest party to Wilders' Party for Freedom was an alliance of the center-left Labor Party and Green Left, which was forecast to win 26 seats.
Wilders' election programme includes calls for a referendum on the Netherlands leaving the European Union, a total halt to accepting asylum-seekers and migrant pushbacks at the Dutch borders.
It also advocates the “de-Islamization” of the Netherlands, although he has been milder about Islam during this election campaign than in the past.
But the lawmaker, who has in the past been labeled a Dutch version of Donald Trump, first would have to form a coalition government before he can take the reins of power.
That will be tough as mainstream parties are reluctant to join forces with him and his Party for Freedom, but the size of his victory strengthens his hand in any negotiations.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
