Wilders visits radical right-wing party Vlaams Belang before EU election in Belgium

PVV leader Geert Wilders was the surprise guest at a meeting of the Flemish radical right-wing party Vlaams Belang in Aalst on Saturday, causing a large police presence in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported that more than a hundred agents were present. Wilders arrived in Aalst around 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Roads leading to the election event location are closed. A water cannon, a dog brigade, mounted police, and special units are also ready. The local police work with the national and Dutch police services to ensure security. Around 128 police officers were deployed to ensure safety for Wilders and the Flemish radical right-wing party members, Het Laatste Nieuws reported. Furthermore, only invited guests were allowed to enter the building where the candidates breakfast took place, according to the newspaper.

Wilders, who with his PVV won seven seats in the European Parliament according to Thursday evening's exit poll, wants to express his support for Vlaams Belang in Aalst. On Sunday there will be not only European, but also national and regional elections in Belgium. Other parties, however, have ruled out cooperation with Vlaams Belang.

On X, Wilders spoke on Saturday morning about a visit to his "friends of the Vlaams Belang." He called them "the heroes of Flanders who (...) can achieve a well-deserved election victory tomorrow".

European elections: Italians, Slovaks, Maltese and Latvians go to the polls

After the Dutch elected their representatives in the European Parliament on Thursday, June 6, the polling stations for the European Parliament elections also opened on Saturday in Italy, Slovakia, Malta, and Latvia. The Czechs and Estonians can also vote, but they were able to vote earlier.

Slovakia, Malta, and Latvia only vote on Saturday, and this is also the last election day for the Czechs. In Italy and Estonia, the polls are also open on Sunday. That is when the European Parliament elections take place in most countries.

Voting took place on Thursday and Friday in Ireland and the Netherlands. At 46.8 percent, it was the highest voter turnout in the Netherlands in the 2024 European Parliament elections, according to an exit poll by Ipsos I&O and NOS.

The official results of all countries may only be announced after the last polling station has closed, which is Sunday at 11 p.m.