Geert Wilders's party makes major gains in Dutch elections

The center-right Dutch Liberal Party had been expected to win the election after promising severe cuts in government spending. But it appeared to be tied with the center-left Labor Party, according to a final exit poll.

The anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim Freedom Party of Geert Wilders did very well and appeared to come in third, just ahead of the Christian Democrats, who led the last four governments…

The strong showing of the populist Mr. Wilders, who combines far-right nationalism with leftist economic ideas, may lead to his party’s being asked to join a governing coalition for the first time. The party more than doubled its seats, winning an estimated 23 seats, up from 9 in 2006. He called the result “magnificent.”