On March 16, at 11:00 AM, the Valdai Club Conference Hall will host a discussion on the growing popularity of right-wing political parties in the European Union, titled “Elections in the Netherlands: A Trial for Right-Wing Forces and EU Foreign Policy.”

       Parliamentary elections in the Netherlands will take place on March 15, and many experts call them the first trial for right-wing forces in EU countries in the series of important elections in 2017. Geert Wilders, head of the Dutch Freedom Party, who publicly calls himself a eurosceptic, may well win, and if this happens, it may assist Marine Le Pen at the upcoming French elections, as well as the Alternative for Germany party in the German Bundestag elections.

       The ideas of right-wing eurosceptics are gaining popularity in European countries largely thanks to the migrant crisis, and Wilders has been called “the Dutch Donald Trump.” The EU’s internal crisis, which is capable of shaking up the foundations of the system, may have many external consequences. The Dutch elections have led to a sharp worsening of Dutch-Turkish elections, although Turkey’s situation is similar, as the Turkish Constitutional Referendum has led the Turkish leadership to attempt to influence Turkish communities in Europe. The circle is closing.

       Speakers:

       Steven Derix (Netherlands), Moscow Correspondent, NRC Handelsblad newspaper

       Tony van der Togt (Netherlands), Senior Research Fellow at the Clingendael Netherlands Institute of International Relations. (via videolink)

       Pavel Shlykov, Dean of the Department of Middle Eastern History, Institute of Asia and Africa, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Council expert

       Moderator:

       Fyodor Lukyanov, Valdai Discussion Club Research Director and Chairman of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy

       Information for media: to attend, please fill the accreditation form or call +7 926 930 7763 (Public Relations Division).

       Information for participants: if you have any questions, please contact Ruben Prazyan, Event Management and Research Programs Division, by calling +7 903 730-3118.