Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders launched a harsh critique of Pakistan and Bangladesh, thanking those who congratulated him on his party’s success in the Dutch elections.
In a post on social media, he mentioned receiving messages from India and expressed support for Hindus facing threats or persecution in Bangladesh and Pakistan due to their religious identity.
Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) exceeded expectations by winning 37 seats out of 150 in the Dutch parliament, surpassing other political combinations.
The election results were met with shock by Dutch Muslims, as Wilders has previously advocated for the banning of mosques and the Holy Quran in the Netherlands.
Muslims constitute approximately 5% of the Dutch population of almost 18 million people. Wilders’ political success has raised concerns among Dutch Muslims, with some expressing surprise and disappointment over the substantial support for a party with a program seen as conflicting with the basic principles of the rule of law.
Finland Shuts Down Its Two Border Crossings With Russia After “Russian Hybrid Attack”
In another development, Finland’s Interior Minister announced plans to reseal its eastern border with Russia, a decision made just hours after it had been reopened due to a surge in migrant crossings, an event labeled as a Russian hybrid attack by Helsinki.
The 1,340-kilometer border will be closed from Friday, 8:00 p.m., until Jan. 14, according to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen’s statement during a press conference.
Initially, Finland had started to ease the closure that had been in effect since late November, with hopes of assessing the border situation. However, renewed migrant entries immediately upon the easing of restrictions led to the cancellation of these plans.
Despite the reopening of two border crossing points in southeastern Finland, the Finnish border guard reported at least 40 migrant crossings into Finland since the borders were reopened.
Rantanen emphasized the unexpected rapid increase in migrant numbers, prompting the decision to close the border again.
Russian Governor Arthur Parfenchikov of Karelia, bordering Finland, acknowledged the presence of migrant groups among those seeking to cross.
Russian authorities only found two individuals with inadequate documentation while allowing others to pass through the checkpoint in small groups.
