Wilders suspends all campaign activities after being named in Belgian terror plot

PVV leader Geert Wilders announced Friday that he is suspending all campaign activities after learning that suspects in a thwarted Belgian attack also named him as a potential target.

Wilders said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “The NCTV has just confirmed to me that, by the suspects arrested yesterday in connection with the thwarted attack on the Belgian prime minister, I was also mentioned as a target. This is not the first time in 21 years of threats and security that this has happened to me, but every time I am shocked. The NCTV does not expect a residual threat, but I personally feel unsafe and am therefore suspending all campaign activities for the time being.”

The announcement comes ahead of Sunday’s RTL election debate, which Wilders will now skip. He was scheduled to debate with Henri Bontenbal (CDA), Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD), and Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA). Earlier Friday, Wilders also stayed away from the NOS radio debate due to security concerns. RTL offered him the option to participate remotely via video link, but Wilders declined.

The threat links to a recent Belgian police operation in Antwerp. Authorities arrested three individuals suspected of planning a terrorist murder. One suspect is a 23-year-old man from Chechnya, according to his lawyer, and another is 18. Both remain in custody. Belgian media report the plot may have been inspired by jihadist ideology, though authorities have not publicly confirmed the motive.

Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof said it is “completely unacceptable” and “extremely serious” that Wilders feels forced to suspend his campaign due to threats. “I trust that all involved security organizations and agencies are working closely together and doing everything possible to ensure that the campaigns and elections proceed safely,” Schoof wrote on X. “That is of the utmost importance for our democracy.”

Caretaker Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Foort van Oosten responded on X, stating: “I will never accept that politicians are prevented from doing their work due to threats. I have asked the NCTV to do everything necessary so that Wilders can continue his work as soon as he wishes.”