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Europe’s political leaders today breathed a collective sigh of relief after anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders was defeated in the Dutch election.

French president François Hollande declared the general election result a “victory against extremism”.

Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, was set to hold on to power after winning an expected 33 seats, 13 more than Mr Wilders’ far-Right Freedom Party, which finished second.

The vote was seen as a major indicator of the weakening strength of populist parties in Europe ahead of French and German elections later this year.

Mr Hollande said: “The values of openness, respect for others and a faith in Europe’s future are the only true response to the nationalist impulses and isolationism that are shaking the world.”

French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron said the result shows the “breakthrough of the extreme Right is not inevitable”.

In Germany, Socialist leader Martin Schulz tweeted: “I am relieved, but we need to continue to fight for an open and free Europe.”

Mr Rutte, leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, was set to begin his third term as prime minister today after the vote count is completed.

He will need the backing of a coalition, with the Christian Democrats and centrist parties likely to lend their support.

He said: “The Netherlands said, ‘Whoa!’ to the wrong kind of populism.”

Mr Wilders promised to close borders to migrants from Muslim nations, close mosques, ban the Koran and take the Netherlands out of the EU. He said: “[Rutte] has not got rid of me yet.