Violence erupts at right-wing demonstration in the Netherlands ahead of election

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A far-right demonstration in the Netherlands descended into violence and chaos on Saturday, with rioters clashing with police and damaging a political party office, just weeks before the country’s general election.

According to the Associated Press, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the rioters, who threw objects at officers and set a police car on fire. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests. Dutch media reported that rioters also attacked the office of the centrist political party D66.

“Scum. Keep your hands off the political parties,” party leader Rob Yetten said in a message on X. “If you think you can intimidate us, you’re out of luck. We will never let extremist rioters take over our beautiful country.”

A smaller group of rioters headed to the Dutch parliament complex, which is currently fenced off due to years of renovation.

The violence erupted during a demonstration attended by hundreds of people, many of whom wore black and waved flags calling for tougher asylum policies.

The riots came weeks before a general election on October 29, which was called after anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling coalition over a dispute over steps to curb migration.

In a statement, Wilders condemned the rioters for blocking a highway and attacking police, calling them “idiots” and “scum.”