Violence erupts at right-wing demonstration ahead of Dutch elections
Rioters clash with police and vandalize a D66 office as hundreds rally for tougher asylum policies ahead of Oct. 29 general election, weeks after Geert Wilders pulled his party from the ruling coalition.
The Hague, Netherlands — A right-wing demonstration in the Netherlands erupted into violence Saturday as rioters clashed with police and vandalized the office of a centrist party, just weeks before the country holds a general election. Police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse rioters who threw objects at officers and torched a police car. There was no immediate word on injuries or arrests.
The protest drew hundreds of participants, many wearing black clothing and waving flags, in a march that called for tougher asylum policies. Rioters also targeted an office of the D66 party, a focal point of the demonstration’s political message. In a message on X, D66 leader Rob Jetten condemned the violence and said, “Scum. You keep your hands off political parties. If you think you can intimidate us, tough luck. We will never let extremist rioters take our beautiful country away.”
A smaller group of demonstrators moved toward the Dutch parliament complex, which was fenced off for renovations that have stretched over several years. The uprising underscored tensions ahead of the Oct. 29 general election, which was called after anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling coalition in a dispute over moves to rein in migration.
Wilders issued a statement condemning the rioters, criticizing them for blocking a highway and attacking police and calling them “idiots” and “scum.” The clash and the broader protest come amid a public debate over border controls and migration policy that has dominated campaigning in the lead-up to Election Day.
The incident marks a troubling scene for Dutch authorities weeks before a national vote that could reshape the country’s leadership and its stance on asylum and integration. Authorities pledged to investigate the violence and monitor security for polling and political events in the days ahead, while parties sought to distance themselves from the upheaval and emphasize their policy positions for voters.