Leader of Dutch right-wing populists suspended election campaign due to threats 0 18

A few hours after the planned radio debates were canceled, Wilders announced on the social network X that he had received information about threats from the Dutch counter-terrorism agency NCTV.

"NCTV does not believe there are any 'current threats' remaining, but I have a bad feeling, and therefore I am temporarily suspending all activities of my campaign," Wilders added.

RTL reported that Wilders will not personally participate in the televised debates with his main opponents scheduled for Sunday. He was offered the opportunity to participate in the debates from home, but his party declined this offer.

Wilders has previously received multiple death threats, which is why he has been under constant police protection since 2004.

The election campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands is currently in full swing, and the Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Wilders, is leading in the polls. The PVV hopes to replicate its success from the November 2023 elections, when the party became the largest in parliament.

Early parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 29 following the resignation of the government, triggered by the PVV's exit from the ruling coalition of four parties.

Belgian authorities on Thursday detained three young individuals suspected of planning a terrorist attack using drones inspired by jihadism. It was believed that explosive devices would be attached to the drones.

According to a spokesperson for the Belgian prosecutor's office, two of the suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention and face charges related to terrorism.

Belgian broadcaster VRT reported that Wilders may have been one of the intended targets of the attack.

The prosecutor's office declined to officially name the targets, but several Flemish media outlets reported that Prime Minister Bart De Wever was among them.