Geert Wilders, a prominent figure in Dutch politics for over two decades, led his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) into a coalition government that marked a significant shift in the Netherlands. Two years ago, this coalition gained power for the first time. On the campaign trail, they pledged to address these urgent issues, such as the need for housing, healthcare, and the asylum system. As the Netherlands prepares for its next general election, voters have a chance to stand back and think. They’re making sense of the results of this unprecedented experiment with extreme-right autocratic governance.
Today, the coalition experiment is widely viewed as a failure — especially on the matters that mattered most to the electorate. Despite a seismic victory in the 2023 elections, largely driven by public frustration over the national housing crisis, the PVV’s tenure has not yielded tangible solutions. Today, more than 80,000 people in the Netherlands are still awaiting permanent addresses, highlighting the persistent housing crisis the government failed to see.
Wilders’ party entered government amid high expectations. Their failure to tackle the biggest challenges of our time has disappointed so many. Many analysts contend that the past two years have dealt an irreparable blow to public confidence in Wilders. This erosion of confidence has a corrosive effect on the political system as a whole.
Koen Vossen, a political expert, emphasized the widespread sentiment among voters: “Give us back the boring old Netherlands with a stable government. Give us stable people that can do things.” This last comment evidences the deep desire for sane and predictable governance amid today’s topsy-turvy political world.
Many of Wilders’ supporters continue to blame external factors for the government’s shortcomings. Vossen noted that among these supporters, “the belief is widespread that he was blocked by the courts, by left-wing judges, by the deep state or whoever.” This view cuts both ways, though, as it shows how these same constituents might view Wilders’ failures—as the product of opposition, not bad government.
Rest assured, the last two years have irrevocably changed the political landscape in the Netherlands. Vossen remarked, “The Netherlands was always a high-trust society, and our politics reflected that. The last two years destroyed a lot of trust.” These failures have inspired voter confidence and given radical right alternatives. They recognize the shortcomings of Wilders’ administration, but they continue to look for these new alternatives.
It’s been especially egregious that they’ve failed to address pervasive issues like housing. Armida van Rij, another political analyst, pointed out that “the liberal-populist-far right coalition failed to address any of these challenges, and in some cases exacerbated them.” This is a frame that will appeal to the voters who demanded more of their elected leaders.
Furthermore, Vossen criticized the coalition’s achievements during its tenure, stating that “the coalition did nothing to address the housing crisis. There are no other new laws, reforms or achievements to speak of.” This lack of progress raises questions about the effectiveness of far-right policies. Do they actually hit the mark with what we are all looking for as a society?
Wilders’ resignation from government after only 11 months is a testimony to his challenges with governance. He’s much more at home out on the perimeter, screaming for the ball. Instead, he steers clear of exploring the difficult intricacies of being at the helm of a country. Political commentators have all but declared his abrasively confrontational style a dead end for productive governing.
The success of these younger, far-right parties on new-comers Wilders’ failures as a springboard presents another danger within Dutch politics. These parties then pledge to deliver over his strategies, overdeliver and do what they say he failed to do. The March 2025 election, should it happen as scheduled, will be a decisive referendum on Wilders and his ideas, though. It will determine the fate of the populism that’s sweeping Europe.
With the primary election right around the corner, these voters are going to have some tough choices to make in shaping their political future. This disillusionment with the status quo could push a large number of people to look for options on the far-right fringes. With a growing body of evidence to the contrary, it’s anyone’s guess if Wilders or his future counterparts will be able to win back voter confidence again.