Dutch anti-Islamic populist set to secure unforeseen majority in parliament

Dutch anti-EU far-right populist Geert Wilders, who has pledged to stop all immigration to the Netherlands, appears to be on the path to a significant triumph in the parliamentary elections held on November 22.

As exit polls indicate, Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) is set to secure 35 out of 150 seats, surpassing its nearest competitor, the Labour/Green Left coalition led by former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans, by 9 seats, in contrary to all predictions, according to the Dutch NU publication.

According to the exit poll, the conservative VVD, the party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ranks only third with 23 seats.

Immigration, a pivotal issue that led to the collapse of Rutte's previous 13-year-long cabinet, remained a focal point in the campaign with Wilders' clear stance on the issue believed to have catapulted him to the top of the ladder.

Expressing his stance in a television debate on the election eve, Wilders declared, "It's been enough now. The Netherlands can't take it anymore. We have to think about our own people first now. Borders closed. Zero asylum seekers".

Known internationally for his vehemently anti-Islamic politics, Wilders previously faced legal consequences, being convicted by a Dutch judge for discriminatory remarks about Moroccans during a campaign rally in 2014.

While the finalized results will be released earliest the day following the elections, he is already expected to lead government formation talks, set to commence on Friday, November 24.