EU’s Juncker hails Dutch ‘vote against extremists’

European Union Commission chief welcomes defeat of Wilders' far-right Freedom Party as 'vote for Europe'

By AFP 16 March 2017, 2:27 am
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wipes his brow before speaking during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

BRUSSELS, Belgium – EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday hailed a “vote against extremists” after Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte appeared to beat far-right rival Geert Wilders in elections, his spokesman said.

“@JunckerEU just spoke with @markrutte, congratulated him on clear victory: ‘A vote for Europe, a vote against extremists,'” Juncker’s spokesman Margaritis Schinas tweeted.

Exit polls showing Rutte’s Liberal VVD far ahead of Wilders and his Freedom Party — at 31 seats in the 150-member parliament to the latter’s 19 — were greeted with relief in Brussels amid fears of a surge in populism in Europe, with elections in France and Germany still to come in 2017.

“Common sense strikes back,” one senior European source told AFP on condition of anonymity, reflecting the mood in Brussels.

Right-wing populist leader Geert Wilders and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, right, leave the stage after a national televised debate. (Yves Herman/AP)

The double shock of Britain’s Brexit vote and the election of US President Donald Trump “makes the EU an anchor of stability and reason in a world of craziness,” the source added.

European Parliament spokesman Jaume Duch meanwhile tweeted “2016 is not 2017” after the Dutch exit poll came through.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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