The West is concerned that after the victory of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) in the Dutch parliamentary election, the country may refuse to transfer F-16 fighter jets and other military aid to Ukraine, the head of the Dutch Defence Ministry, Kajsa Ollongren, has said, the NL Times has quoted her as saying.
The minister, who is stepping down after the election, admitted that she had “heard a lot of concerns” from her colleagues abroad over the possible consequences of the PVV’s election victory.
“They fear that the Netherlands will stop supplying F-16 fighter jets and other military support if Geert Wilders’ party comes to power,” the article said.
Ollongren noted that the Freedom Party would govern as part of a coalition, expressing hope that the country would continue to help Kiev.
“In the past, the PVV has never shown enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine,” she said, accusing opponents of expressing a “pro-Russian stance.”
The defence minister pledged to do “everything possible” to ensure that “things do not go this way” (halting supplies to Kiev), calling support for Ukraine “vital” for Dutch security.
Early parliamentary elections were held in the Netherlands on Wednesday. 26 political parties took part in them. The turnout, according to the latest figures, was 77.8 per cent. According to the latest forecast by the ANP news agency, Wilders’ Freedom Party will become the largest party in the Dutch House of Representatives (lower house of parliament), with the number of seats predicted for it rising to 37. The country’s electoral council is expected to announce the final election results on 1 December.
Wilders’ party is critical of EU policies, a multicultural society, and favours the Netherlands’ exit from the eurozone. “Freedom Party” is against sanctions against Russia and does not support arms supplies to Ukraine. Wilders was one of the MPs who refused to attend the Dutch House of Representatives during Vladimir Zelensky’s speech.
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