'Will support Hindus who are attacked, threatened or prosecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan': Dutch politician Geert Wilders

Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders expressed gratitude to supporters on Sunday after a surprising election victory. The conservative-liberal politician also pledged unwavering support for Hindus facing threats in Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Thanks so much to all my friends from all over the world who congratulated me on winning the Dutch elections.

Many kind messages came from #India: i’ll always support Hindus who are attacked or threatened to be killed or prosecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan only for being Hindu.

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) December 17, 2023

“Thanks so much to all my friends from all over the world who congratulated me on winning the Dutch elections. Many kind messages came from India: I’ll always support Hindus who are attacked or threatened to be killed or prosecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan only for being Hindu," he tweeted on Sunday evening. Known for his outspoken criticism of Islam, Wilders in his victory speech said he wanted to end what he called the asylum tsunami, referring to the migration issue that came to dominate his campaign. The Dutch will be No. 1 again, Wilders said. The people must get their nation back. Wilders, long a firebrand who lashed out at Islam, the EU and migrants, was in the past labelled a Dutch version of Donald Trump. His positions brought him close to power but never in it. But to become prime minister of a country known for compromise politics, he must persuade other party leaders to work with him in a coalition government. That will be tough as mainstream parties are reluctant to join forces with him and his party, but the size of his victory strengthens his hand in any negotiations. Wilders called on other parties to constructively engage in coalition talks. Pieter Omtzigt, a former centrist Christian Democrat who built his own New Social Contract party in three months to take 20 seats, said he would always be open to talks. With inputs from agencies.