European Populists Who Aped Brexit and Trump Rethink Their Approach -by S.Meichtry, A,Troianovski and M,Walker

Europe’s populist politicians hoped this would be the year they rocked the Continent’s establishment. Instead, their assault on the European Union has brought election defeats, recriminations and self-doubt.

Read more: European Populists Who Aped Brexit and Trump Rethink Their Approach - WSJ

Netherlands says No to Trump and Wilders populism in General election-as Rutte wins again - by Philip Blenkinsop

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his VVD party was on course for victory in Dutch parliamentary elections on Wednesday in a result he declared represented a rejection of "the wrong kind of populism".

"It appears that the VVD will be the biggest party in the Netherlands for the third time in a row," a beaming Rutte told supporters at a post-election party in the Hague.

Rutte, who beat off a challenge from anti-Islam and anti-EU far-right firebrand Geert Wilders, said he had spoken to a number of European leaders already by telephone.

"It is also an evening in which the Netherlands after Brexit, after the American elections said stop to the wrong kind of populism," he said.

Read more: Dutch PM Rutte - Netherlands said no to 'the wrong kind of populism' - World | The Star Online

The Netherlands: Election Stunt by Dutch Right Wing Parliamentarian Wilders who takes Dutch state to court to head off EU emergency fund

Geert Wilders is taking legal action against the Dutch state in an effort to stop the Netherlands supporting the European financial emergency fund.

Bram Moszkowicz, the lawyer who represented Wilders when he was charged with inciting racial hatred, will head the legal team, the parliamentarian told the Telegraaf this week.

Wilders claims by supporting the fund, the Netherlands is handing over power to Brussels. This, he says, is something the caretaker government cannot do without giving voters their say first.

The Netherlands goes to the polls to elect a new parliament in September, but the emergency fund has to be ratified before this. The fund, which will have at least €500bn at its disposal to start with, is due to launch in July.  Prime minister Mark Rutte has already signed the agreement but parliament needs to give its approval as well.

Wilders told the paper his decision to go to court is unique in parliamentary history, but denied it was an election stunt. 'I am defending the interests of the Netherlands,' he told the paper. He earlier failed to get enough support in parliament to call a halt to the ratification process.

"Geert Wilders who dumped his support for the Rutte Government at the last minute before a final budget agreement was to be announced and now is trying to benefit from the Euro crises is considered more and more as an opportunist without any real government plan. He has also been losing ground in the polls". 

Read more: nDutchNews.nl - Wilders takes Dutch state to court to head off EU emergency fund