PVV’s Maikel Boon set to keep parliament seat despite AI Timmermans image controversy

PVV MP Maikel Boon is expected to retain his seat. He reportedly created AI images of Frans Timmermans that the former GroenLinks-PvdA party leader described as defamatory. Boon is 23rd on the party list, and the Ipsos I&O exit poll projects the PVV, led by Geert Wilders, will win 25 seats. Another PVV candidate, Patrick Crijns, accused of producing and sharing racist and defamatory AI images, is 34th on the list and unlikely to secure a seat.

Earlier this week, both PVV members attracted negative attention for their AI-generated images. The images included racist caricatures of Muslims and people with a migration background threatening white Dutch citizens. One image depicting Timmermans being handcuffed and escorted by police led the party leader to file a formal complaint.

The page drew significant attention, reportedly receiving hundreds of thousands of unique daily visitors and many reactions, including death threats directed at the images.

Geert Wilders, PVV leader, had already said that Boon and Crijns would not face any penalties, explaining that he does not have the authority to take them off the candidate list. He did, however, apologize to Timmermans, a rare gesture from Wilders. Timmermans, who resigned as party leader last night after the results of the exit poll, called Wilders’ apology “meaningless” unless additional measures are taken against the MPs involved.

The most recent vote counts show that D66 are likely set to become the biggest party after the elections for the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament. PVV are still in with a chance of becoming the biggest party, with around 98% of the votes having been counted.