At Discriminatie.nl, more than 2,500 reports were received in a few days about an image that Geert Wilders has shared via social media. According to experts, the PVV leader shows his campaign theme and evokes associations with fascism.
Wilders shared an image on Wednesday with two half faces. On the left is a young blonde woman with blue eyes, with “PVV” underneath. On the right is an older woman with an angry look and a headscarf. Below that are the letters “PvdA”. At De Post Wilders wrote: “To you the choice on 29/10”, referring to the parliamentary elections.
According to a spokesperson for the hotline, it is a “very clear signal from society” that so many reports have been received. He also calls the post “polarizing, stigmatizing and discriminatory”. The hotline is preparing for next steps.
Assistantial teacher Political Communication and Journalism Linda Bos (University of Amsterdam) calls it “very bad” that these kinds of images are distributed. They evoke memories of anti -Semitic cartoons from the beginning of the last century. But Bos sees Wilders’ current promotion “as a way to stay on the agenda and to make it clear what his campaign theme is”.
Professor of Sociology Niels Spierings also thinks that this is a way for Wilders to steer the debate towards a theme on which the PVV scores well: migration. Spierings is not an expert in the field of fascism. “But we see on social media that it is recognized as fascist propaganda.” He cannot imagine that Wilders or the team around the PVV leader is not aware of a link with posters from Nazi Germany.
‘The fuss works in Wilders’ benefit’
“Most politicians do not want to be associated with fascism. And here the image use evokes that association,” says Spierings. “That is very striking.”
Whether this choice of Wilders is right or wrong must ultimately be determined by the voter or the judge, he says. “But it can turn groups against each other, you can see that immediately.” It is not just about the difference between a white blonde woman and a Muslim woman with a headscarf, but also about the distinction between young and beautiful and old and wrinkled. “You can see that in those classic posters.”
Bos is an expert in the field of political communication and knows a lot about populism. “The fuss works in his favor,” she says. “The question is of course how the others respond to this. Whether they normalize the racist expression or take a distance.” The media also play a role in this, says Spierings. “Media are not a neutral hatch, they make a selection. It’s about how they pass it on and how they name it.”
The last topic about which so many reports were received at Discrminatie.nl was prevented the song is better than Chinese , during the Coronapandemie in 2020. Around four thousand reports were received about this.
Wilders is known to make polarizing statements. In 2020, for example, he was found guilty of group insult because of his “fewer Moroccans” statements. He received no punishment for this.
More than 2,500 reports Have Been Received by discrimination.nl in a few days about an image that Geert Wilders Shared via social media. Accordance to experts, The PVV Leader is Using This to Show His Campaign Theme and It Evokes Associations with Fascism.
Wilders shared an image on X on Wednesday Showing Two Half Faces. On the left is a young blonde woman with blue eyes, with “pvv” below it. On the right is an older woman with an angry look and a headcarf. Below that are the letters “PvdA”. Wilders wrote the post: “The Choice is yours on 29/10”, referring to the house of representatives elections.
Accordance to a spokesperson for the reporting center, it is a “very clear signal from society” that so many reports have bone received. He also calls the post “polariaing, stigmatizing and discriminatory”. The Reporting Center is preparation for follow-up steps.
Linda Bos (University of Amsterdam), Associate Professor of Political Communication and Journalism, Calls It “Very Bad” That this type of image is Being Spread. They Evoke Memories of Anti-Semitic Cartoons from the Beginning of the Last Century. But Bos Sees Wilders “Current Action Primarily” As a Way to Stay on the agenda and make it clear what his campaign theme is. “
Professor of Sociology Niels Spierings also think this is a way for Wilders to Steer the Debate Towards a Theme on which the PVV Scores Well: Migration. Spierings is not an expert in the field of fascism. “But we see on social media that it is recognized as fascist propaganda.” He Cannot Imagine That Wilders or The Team Around the PVV Leader Are Not Aware of A Link with Posters From Nazi Germany.
‘The Commotion Works in Wilders’ Favor’
“Most politicians do not want to be associationed with fascism. And here the imagery evokes that association,” Says Spierings. “That is very striking.”
Whether this choice by Wilders is Right or Wrong must ultimately be determined by the voter or the Judge, he says. “But it sets Groups Against Each Other, you can see that directly.” It is not just about the differentence between a white blonde woman and a muslim woman with a headcarf, but also about the distinction between young and beautiful and old and wrinkled. “You also see that in those classic posters.”
Bos is an expert in the field of political communication and knows a lot about popism. “The Commotion Works in His Favor,” She Says. “The Question, of Course, is How the Others Will React to this. Whether they normalize the racist Expression or distance Themselves from It.” The media also play a role in this, sayes muscleings. “Media are not a neutral conduit, they make a selection. It is about how they pass it on and how they name it.”
The Last subject about which so many reports were recurred at discrminatie.nl was the song prevention is better than Chinese , duration the corona pandemic in 2020. About four thousand reports were recurred about this.
Wilders is Known for Making Polariaing Statements. For example, in 2020 he was found guilty of group insult because of his “ferwer moroccans” statements. He recovered no punishment for this.