Exit poll: Dutch anti-Muslim leader fails to capture top spot in elections

[malchickiwick]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by DonViejo (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Washington Post

THE HAGUE — The Dutch political establishment appeared Wednesday to fend off a challenge from anti-Muslim firebrand Geert Wilders, according to initial exit polls, potentially blunting the momentum of anti-establishment politicians across Europe.

The result, if confirmed by the actual election results, meant that Wilders would remain a powerful voice on immigration issues in the Netherlands. But it would leave in place Prime Minister Mark Rutte and do little to alter the fundamental dynamic in a country unhappy with the status quo but deeply divided among many political parties.

Wilders faded after topping opinion polls for most of the past 18 months, as Dutch voters appeared not to fully embrace an election message that described some Moroccans as “scum” and called for banning the Koran and shuttering mosques.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/dutch-vote-in-an-immigration-focused-election-with-consequences-for-all-europe/2017/03/15/f748a84e-08e1-11e7-bd19-fd3afa0f7e2a_story.html?utm_term=.97c322fe739e

[PsychoBabble]

1. In other words, the Dutch have proven

.... themselves to be more intelligent than many Americans.

[iluvtennis]

5. hear ye, hear ye...yay!

[Warpy]

2. I hope the final count reflects that

While Wilders wouldn't be the first right wing leader the Dutch have have had, one suspects he wouldn't last any longer than the others have. The Dutch have a long history with rigid ideologues, especially religious ones, and they tire of them very quickly now.

It will be very good if they manage to dodge this one completely, but he'll probably be back all too soon and they might have to remind themselves about why right wing governments led by ideologues are bad ideas.

[karynnj]

6. He won't be. The Dutch have so many parties that the government is ALWAYS a coalition

The other parties have said that they would NOT be in a government with him. Even when he polled the highest, it was about 25%. He was NEVER going to win, but getting the most votes would be significant and something he could brag about.

Similarly, Marine Le Pen has polled ahead regularly, through Macron has begun to challenge that. This gets her into the run off -- but there she loses to either potential other candidate -- Macron gets 60 % or more of that vote - and Fillon gets nearly that if he is the one in the run off. (This after LOTS of RT and sputnik attacks.)

[Turn CO Blue]

3. I hope it bears out. That Geert guy is a loon. n/t

[riversedge]

4. I am hoping the exit polls are right.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. Let's just hope they don't have their version of a Bradley effect.

[zentrum]

7. Thank you Holland! And also,

......I read that in many poll locations turnout was 100%!!!!! Other numbers were 85% and 80%.

Can you imagine that level of turnout here? We are far from being "The Best Democracy in the World"---which is what we're always told.

[Dawson Leery]

8. Excellent. The liberal global order is still living.

This faux populist bullshit must stop.

[DonViejo]

10. Locking...

Duplicate of http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141729024