Dutch politician Geert Wilders looks on during the reading of his verdict at an Amsterdam court on June 23, 2011. Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders was acquitted on June 23 for his statements attacking Islam, which he claimed were made to "defend" freedom in the Netherlands.
On the Ballot
Party: Freedom Party
Leader: Geert Wilders
Key issues: Anti-establishment, Islam, law enforcement
Seats in Parliament: 24/150
Geert Wilders single-handedly founded the Freedom Party in 2005. Despite its youth and the flamboyance of its leader — Wilders declared earlier this year that juvenile offenders should be relegated to a "village for scum" — the party has achieved overwhelming popularity. In March 2011, polls showed the party with 17.6% approval, second only to the Liberal Party, which governs in a minority coalition with the Christian Democrats.
On the Fringe
Nederlandse Volks-Unie (Dutch People's Union)
The neo-Nazi group, founded in 1971, argues for the rehabilitation of convicted World War II criminals and often appears in S.S. costume at demonstrations. The group has fielded candidates in local and national elections in recent years, but has yet to secure a seat.
Netherlands National Youth
The one-year-old group aims to establish a white Netherlands and banish immigrants.