German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed the election victory in the Netherlands for center-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “I was very happy that a high turnout led to a very pro-European result, a clear signal,” Merkel told a conference on demography.
The Netherlands are our partners, friends, neighbors. Therefore I was very happy that a high turnout led to a very pro-European result, a clear signal,” Merkel told a conference on demography.
“And that after days in which the Netherlands had to tolerate accusations and reproaches from Turkey which are totally unacceptable… It was a good day for democracy.”
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel also welcomed the pro-Europe result.
The political establishment in Europe welcomed the Dutch result as victory for tolerance and a boost for the European Union after its battering from last year’s Brexit vote.
- European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said it was victory “free and tolerant societies in a prosperous Europe.”
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel described it a “very pro-European result” and a “good day for democracy”.
- In France, where the anti EU far right Marine Le Pen is leading in the presidential election polls, there was also relief from the political establishment. French president, François Hollande, said it was a “clear victory against extremism”. But Nicolas Bay, secretary general of Le Pen’s Front National said he was encouraged by the gains for Wilders.
- Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament, said: “People want constructive and reliable politicians to govern their country. This is why Le Pen will also fail.”
- Spain’s Conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy congratulated the Dutch people for their “responsibility”.
- Britain’s FTSE 100 hit a new record high at the start of trading and European shares hit their highest level in 15 months.
- Turkey said there is “no difference” between the ruling Dutch liberals and the “fascist” anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who was barred by Netherlands from speaking at rally in support of giving Turkish President Erdoğan, extra powers, said: “You look at the social democrats and the fascist Wilders, there is no difference, they have the same mentality.”
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