Support grows for Wilders after Cologne sexual assaults

The large number of sexual assaults in Cologne, Germany over New Year's has the PVV and leader Geert Wilders' anti refugee statements' popularity at an all time high. The anti-Islam party currently has 41 seats according to Maurice de Hond's latest poll, an increase of 2 seats compared to the previous poll in mid-December. De Hond did not investigate the effect the Cologne sexual assaults had on the polls, but since the start of the refugee crisis the PVV increased by an average of one seat a week. A massive 43 percent of respondents indicated that the asylum problems will play an important role in their decision of who to vote for at the next election in March 2017. On Twitter Wilders responded: "Historic poll: PVV on 41 seats! The Dutch want their own country back!"

Historische peiling: PVV op 41 zetels! Nederlanders willen hun eigen land terug. #PVVopEEN #ExitRutte pic.twitter.com/20b3uq6dVd

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) January 10, 2016

Prime Minister Mark Rutte agrees that the asylum debate is the biggest reason that the PVV is scoring so high in the polls, NOS reports. "Many people are concerned about it. The cabinet will have to show that we are bringing the numbers down and succeed in integrating people already here." he said on television program Buitenhof. When asked about the Netherlands' closing its borders for refugees, Rutte stated that everything is being done to reduce the inflow of asylum seekers, but if that does not succeed other measures will be taken. Rutte also reiterated that his party the VVD will not work with the PVV as long as Wilders refuses to take back his statements calling for fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands. Wilders responded on Twitter that the PVV will not work with the VVD as long as Rutte is the leader.

Zolang de VVD Rutte niet terugtrekt zal de PVV niet met de VVD regeren.

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) January 10, 2016