Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders hails Donald Trump's victory as 'Patriotic Spring' that should inspire Europe
Mr Wilders hails second 'revolution' in America and vows to change European politics
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Your support makes all the difference.Anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders has hailed a “Patriotic Spring” following Donald Trump’s election victory and the vote for Brexit, while calling for a revolution in Europe.
The Dutch Freedom Party leader called the shock result of the US election a “historic victory” and a “revolution”.
“The people are taking their country back, so will we,” he wrote on Twitter, using the hashtag #MakeTheNetherlandsGreatAgain.
In an interview with Russia Today, Mr Wilders claimed Mr Trump’s victory would cause a seismic shift in European politics.
“America regained its national sovereignty, its identity – it reclaimed its own democracy, that’s why I called it a revolution,” he added.
“I think that the people of America, as in Europe, feel insulted by all the politicians that ignore the real problems.
“We will see also in Europe that things will change, politics will never be the same and what I call the Patriotic Spring will have an enormous incentive.
“The lesson for Europeans is look at America. What America can do, we can do as well.”
Mr Wilders appeared to be making a reference to the Arab Spring, which saw mass anti-government protests across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, leading to the removal of several leaders and the Syrian and Libyan civil wars.
The reaction to Mr Trump’s unexpected victory has varied wildly among politicians across Europe, with François Hollande and Angela Merkel making frosty statements hinting at future disagreements, Theresa May offering her uncritical congratulations and right-wing figures including Marine Le Pen celebrating a “victory of the people”.
Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said the result was a “very difficult moment” but that the EU would respect America’s decision, despite “worrying words” on women and minorities during Mr Trump’s campaign.
As leader of the Eurosceptic and anti-immigration Party for Freedom, Mr Wilders is known for his campaigning to stop the alleged “Islamisation of the Netherlands”.
The controversial politician has provoked international condemnation for comparing the Quran to Mein Kampf and campaigning for a nationwide ban, as well as calling for an end to immigration from Muslim-majority countries and the deportation of “Muslim criminals”.
Mr Wilders was acquitted for inciting hatred against Muslims in 2011 but is now on trial for a second time, over a rally in 2014 when he told supporters he would “take care” of the number of Moroccans in the Netherlands.
He did not attend a court hearing on 31 October and has claimed the case is a politically motivated “travesty”.
Meanwhile, his Party for Freedom (PVV) continues to fare well in polls ahead of parliamentary elections in March, sitting in second place behind the Prime Minister’s People's Party for Freedom and Democracy.
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