Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders has resumed his campaign after cancelling all activities last week following a terror threat from Belgium. The Dutch will go to the polls on 29 October, reports 24brussels.
The leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) announced his decision on X on Wednesday. “Elections are coming up, it’s campaign time, and I feel a great responsibility for the Netherlands and all PVV voters,” he wrote.
Last week, Wilders suspended all campaign activities after he was targeted by a terrorist cell that was dismantled in Antwerp.
‘Bad feeling’
Belgian security services arrested two suspects in Antwerp last week, reportedly planning to attack politicians using a drone. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Antwerp Mayor Els Van Doesburg were also among those targeted.
Despite the Dutch counterterrorism service stating that there was no “residual threat” to Wilders following the arrests, he chose to halt his activities due to a “bad feeling” about the situation, as he explained on X.
Polls show slight loss
Wilders has been under strict security for years and has frequently commented on the threats directed at him. In his statement on Wednesday, he expressed concerns regarding his personal safety, stating, “After all these years, I no longer know the feeling of personal freedom.”
On Sunday, Wilders did not participate in the first televised debate of the election campaign, broadcast on RTL. A poll released on Monday indicated a slight decline for the PVV, with the party projected to lose three seats compared to two weeks prior, although it is still the largest party with 31 anticipated seats.
