Dutch far-right Geert Wilders suspends campaigning after report of Belgian terror cell threat

Published connected 11/10/2025 - 8:50 GMT+2 •Updated 8:51

Geert Wilders, nan Dutch leader of nan far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) said he is suspending campaigning activities for nan upcoming nationalist election, pursuing reports that he was a imaginable target of a suspected crippled successful Belgium to termination politicians.

Three young men were arrested successful Belgium connected Thursday aft investigators discovered a homemade explosive which nan suspects were reportedly readying to connect to a drone to transportation retired nan attack.

Prosecutors said nan constabulary raids were portion of an investigation into “attempted violent execution and information successful nan activities of a violent group.” They didn't place nan politicians who mightiness person been targeted, but Belgian authorities ministers identified Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arsenic 1 target.

Wilders had cancelled an quality astatine an predetermination statement pinch different governmental leaders pursuing nan reports. Later, he posted connected X that nan Dutch National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism and Safety (NCTV) confirmed to him he was 1 of nan targets of nan suspected plot.

He said authorities do not "expect a residual threat, but I person a bad emotion astir this and americium truthful suspending each my run activities for nan clip being."

An early wide predetermination is group to return spot successful nan Netherlands connected 29 October, and Wilders' PVV Party is presently starring successful polls.

The predetermination was called aft Wilders pulled retired of nan ruling four-party conjugation successful a conflict astir a crackdown connected migration.

He is known arsenic a crisp professional of Islam and was convicted successful tribunal of group defamation aft he led anti-Moroccan chants during a run rally successful 2014. Another condemnation of inciting hatred an favoritism was later overturned by an appeals court.

Dutch Justice Minister Foort van Oosten said connected X he had requested that nan NCTV "do everything basal to alteration Mr. Wilders to resume his activity arsenic soon arsenic he wishes." He added that he would "never judge that politicians can't do their activity because of threats."

Dutch nationalist broadcaster NOS, which hosted Friday's debate, said they had invited Wilders to participate complete a telephone call, but he refused.

Leader of nan right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) Dilan Yeşilgöz said she is prepared to move an upcoming statement connected Sunday to a concealed location to let Wilders to participate.