Geert Wilders Gets Boost from Election Results

(The Netherlands) Speculation is that controversial politician Geert Wilders has a good chance at being the next Dutch prime minister now that his Freedom Party (PVV) has made major gains in regional elections.

Dutch Muslims, however, are not enthused.

Wilders campaigns for a ban on headscarves for public servants, a halt to immigration from Muslim countries and a moratorium on the erection of mosques in his bid to "stop the Islamisation of the Netherlands".

Henny Kreeft, leader of the Dutch Muslim Party, described Wilders' victory as "very, very sad".

Polls suggest that the Freedom Party is the most popular party in the Netherlands and a reflection of public sentiment toward the spread of Islam.