Geert Wilders Suspends Election Campaign After Being Named Target in Belgian Terror Plot

Image: Jihad Watch

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders, known for his outspoken criticism of Islam and controversial political stance, has temporarily suspended his election campaign after learning that he was among the alleged targets of a suspected terrorist cell in Belgium dismantled by authorities on Thursday.

According to Belgian prosecutors, three young men were arrested during a series of raids conducted as part of an investigation into “attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.” Investigators reportedly discovered a homemade explosive device that the suspects planned to attach to a drone for use in a politically motivated attack. Although the prosecutors did not publicly identify the intended victims, Belgian ministers later confirmed that Prime Minister Bart De Wever was one of the potential targets.

Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), revealed that the Dutch National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism and Safety (NCTV) had informed him he was also on the suspects’ list. In response, Wilders announced the suspension of all his campaign activities for the upcoming national elections. “Authorities do not expect a residual threat, but I have a bad feeling about this,” Wilders wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), adding that he would refrain from public appearances until further notice.

The Dutch politician had already withdrawn from a televised election debate earlier in the week, shortly after receiving reports of the alleged plot. The development has raised concerns about the increasing threats faced by European politicians, particularly those with strong ideological positions on immigration and religion.

Wilders has long been a polarizing figure in European politics, frequently attracting both support and condemnation for his hardline views on Islam and immigration. He was convicted of group defamation in 2016 after leading anti-Moroccan chants during a campaign rally two years earlier, although a separate conviction for inciting hatred and discrimination was later overturned on appeal.

The revelation of the terror plot has further fueled debates about security risks and political extremism in Europe, as authorities continue to grapple with homegrown radicalization and cross-border threats. For now, Wilders’ suspension underscores the fragile balance between political expression and personal safety in an era where ideological divisions continue to provoke violent intent.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)