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PoliticsNetherlands

Death threats force far-right Wilders to suspend campaign

John Silk with AP, AFP
October 11, 2025

Geert Wilders has canceled a planned radio debate after being informed that he was the target of a foiled attack aimed at Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The Netherlands is due to hold elections later this month.

An employee installs an election sign showing Dutch leader of far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) and top candidate Geert Wilders in a street for the upcoming House of Representatives elections in The Hague
Wilders is leading the opinion polls ahead of this month's election in the NetherlandsImage: Remko de Waal/ANP/AFP

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders on Friday suspended campaigning for elections, due to take place later this month, after learning that he had been the target of a foiled jihadi attack aimed at Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

Hours after canceling a radio debate, the anti-Islam, anti-immigrant politician posted on X that he was informed he was a target by the Dutch intelligence agency NCTV.

"The NCTV does not foresee any 'residual threat' but I have a bad feeling and I am therefore suspending all my campaign activities for the time being," Wilders said.

Wilders has faced threats to his life that have kept him under constant police protection since 2004.

The most recent death threat comes with campaigning for the election in full swing, with Wilders' party, the Party for Freedom (PVV), leading in the opinion polls.

How many people have been detained?

Three men were taken into custody on Thursday after police raided their homes in the Belgian city of Antwerp by police using explosives sniffer dogs. A homemade bomb was discovered at one home, but it wasn't operational at the time, according to prosecutors.

A bag of steel balls also was found there, while a 3D printer believed to be used to make parts for the attack was found at another home. Prosecutors said it appeared "that the intention was to build a drone to attach a load."

Prosecutors said the raids were part of an investigation into "attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group."  The prosecutors did not reveal which politicians were possibly targeted.

Belgium: Molenbeek and Islamist terror

05:37

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Edited by: Wesley Dockery

John Silk Editor and writer for English news, as well as the Culture and Asia Desks.@JSilk
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