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Dutch political commentator, Tom-Jan Meeus, said the power of Mr Wilders must not be underestimated as his Freedom Party continues to surge in the polls in the wake of a Donald Trump victory and Britain’s momentous Brexit. He wrote: “But while he may not become prime minister, to dismiss him would be a mistake. “No political leader has had a larger impact on Dutch politics over the past decade than Wilders, a harsh critic of Islam, immigration and the European Union.

GETTY Geert Wilders has taken politics in the Netherlands by storm

Dutch firebrand politician Geert Wilders Wed, February 8, 2017 Known as the 'Dutch Donald Trump' Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 13 Originally from Venlo in the south-eastern Netherlands, Mr Wilders moved to Israel in 1981 after graduating from secondary school.

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At the end of the day, things go Wilders’ way Tom-Jan Meeus, Dutch political commentator

“In the decade since his Freedom Party (PVV) won its first parliamentary seats in 2006, Wilders has reshaped the politics of a country with a long tradition of tolerance and liberalism. “Policy debates, political language, media attitudes, party landscape - all have been affected by Wilders’ politics.” So much so, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has ramped up his anti-immigration rhetoric in a desperate bid to gain support. Mr Meeus said: “Rutte has also made another big campaign move. He published an open letter that partly echoed the anti-immigrant sentiment Wilders has been cashing in on.” The country’s leader, who is fighting to win March’s election for his right-wing liberal VVD party, released posters last month with the slogan “Act normal, or go away”.

GETTY Geert Wilders has backed Brexit and Donald Trump

Speaking after, he said: “If you live in a country in which the ways of dealing with others annoys you, you have a choice. “Get out! You don’t have to be here!” Left-leaning political parties in the Netherlands have also suffered setbacks, including the rise and fall of pro-immigration party Denk. Writing for Politico, Mr Meeus went on: “As a former MP for Rutte’s party, Wilders has long held right-wing economic views. “After his criticism of Islam and immigration turned out to do very well with less educated voters - traditional supporters of the left - he suddenly opposed attempts to slash funding for health care and other welfare state programs, confessing behind closed doors that these policies made no sense to him. “Not only did Wilders manage to shrink the left, he catalysed its fragmentation.” Denk, led by a multicultural group of candidates, was formed in direct challenge to Mr Wilder’s Freedom Party to combat xenophobia and racism in the Netherlands.

GETTY Sylvana Simons left Denk and formed her own party