Politicians across the Dutch political spectrum have condemned violence by far-right anti-immigration rioters against police, ahead of the snap parliamentary election scheduled for 29 October.
An anti-immigration demonstration attended by hundreds of people in The Hague on Saturday turned violent, with rioters blocking a highway, setting a police car on fire and vandalising the offices of liberal party D66.
D66 leader Rob Jetten denounced the attack and called the rioters “scum” in a post on X. Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the liberal VVD, also condemned the attack.
Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), likewise called the highway blockade and attacks on police “unacceptable” in a post on X on Saturday. Wilders had earlier withdrawn his ministers from government in a dispute over migration policy, triggering the fall of Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s coalition and the snap election.
Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Justice Minister Foort van Oosten also criticised the violence in separate statements on X.
“These are Trumpian scenes, fueled by politicians who sow fear and division”, posted progressive leader Frans Timmermans, a former European Commissioner, in a clear rebuke of his political rival Wilders.
correcting to indicate it was the government of Dick Schoof and not Mark Rutte
(aw)
