Wilder's PVV, a "rightwing, mostly libertarian party"

Dutch Libertarian leader Geert Wilders is featured in the UK First Post this morning. And reporter Tim Edwards, declares his chances to ascend to the highest office in the Netherlands look good. From UK First Post:

Geert Wilders... Dutch politician banned from the UK last year for being a threat to race relations, could soon be prime minister of the Netherlands following the collapse of the Dutch coalition government at the weekend.

The government's fall, following a disagreement between the dominant Christian Democrat party and its coalition partner, Labour, over extending the country's Nato commitments in Afghanistan, means that a general election will have to take place within the next three months.

The most recent opinion polls suggest Wilders... Party of Freedom, will claim up to 25 seats in the new parliament, making it the second largest party after the Christian Democrats. Labour would get around 21 seats.

He also notes Wilders current trial for producing a producing a film critical of Islam could propel him even more:

The controversial Wilders, meanwhile, has reason to believe two high-profile brushes with authority over the next three months could increase his popularity among voters.

Pro-Liberty; anti-Euro & Islamo-Fascism

Wilders began his parliamentary career as an MP for the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, before leaving... at odds with the party line that Turkey should be allowed to begin accession talks with the EU.

Wilders went on to found the PVV as a right-wing, mostly libertarian party. Policies include a smaller state and lower taxation... The party proposes the ending of immigration from non-western countries – along with official recognition of the primacy of Christian, Jewish and humanist traditions... he sees [Islam] as fascistic. He spent two years in his twenties working in Israel, during which time he travelled widely in the Arabic world, where he was reportedly deeply affected by the absence of democracy. In contrast, he sees Israel as a "true friend" and admires its Counter-terrorism policies.

Two years ago he told the Guardian: "I have a problem with Islamic tradition, culture, ideology. Not with Muslim people."

Despite seemingly sharing many beliefs with far-right European parties, such as the BNP, Wilders rejects fascism. His criticism of homophobia, at least, sets him apart from such organisations.

Note - Wilders is a close friend and ally of U.S. libertarian columnist and blogger Pamela Geller (photo), of the Ayn Randist website Atlas Shrugs.

Editor's Note - we are currently headlining a piece by Snr. Editor Cliff Thies which is an extensive analysis of the coming Dutch elections at our sister site WorldwideLiberty.