03-17-2017, 02:00 PM
EUROPE
After Brexit in the UK and the election of Donald Trump in the U.S., European leaders have been worried about their upcoming re-elections. Populist, anti-establishment, nationalist right-wing groups and candidates have gained a lot of support in Europe over the last few years.
![[Image: _95170341_038503103.jpg]](http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/37E3/production/_95170341_038503103.jpg)
Government leaders in Germany, France, and Spain expressed relief and encouragement with the defeat of Geert Wilders in the Netherlands Prime Minister elections yesterday. Wilders, pictured above, is referred to by some as the Dutch Donald Trump. He is against liberal immigration policies, global trade agreements, and membership in the European Union.
Polling had shown Wilders giving incumbent PM Mark Butte a run for his money and possibly winning the popular vote. However, Butte moved to the right on immigration in the weeks leading up to the election while still promoting the virtues of liberalism in other facets of governing and wound up winning re-election by a substantial margin.
It's unclear if Wilders' defeat signals a weakening of what he calls the "patriotic spring", but we'll find out soon enough.
France goes to the polls next month to elect a new president with the far right National Front, led by Marine LePen, forecast to increase its vote dramatically.
In Germany, the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), led by Frauke Petry, may win seats in parliament for the first time in September's general election.
Ref: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39287689
After Brexit in the UK and the election of Donald Trump in the U.S., European leaders have been worried about their upcoming re-elections. Populist, anti-establishment, nationalist right-wing groups and candidates have gained a lot of support in Europe over the last few years.
Government leaders in Germany, France, and Spain expressed relief and encouragement with the defeat of Geert Wilders in the Netherlands Prime Minister elections yesterday. Wilders, pictured above, is referred to by some as the Dutch Donald Trump. He is against liberal immigration policies, global trade agreements, and membership in the European Union.
Polling had shown Wilders giving incumbent PM Mark Butte a run for his money and possibly winning the popular vote. However, Butte moved to the right on immigration in the weeks leading up to the election while still promoting the virtues of liberalism in other facets of governing and wound up winning re-election by a substantial margin.
It's unclear if Wilders' defeat signals a weakening of what he calls the "patriotic spring", but we'll find out soon enough.
France goes to the polls next month to elect a new president with the far right National Front, led by Marine LePen, forecast to increase its vote dramatically.
In Germany, the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), led by Frauke Petry, may win seats in parliament for the first time in September's general election.
Ref: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39287689