The party of prominent anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders

Dutch anti-immigrants set to make gains in vote

AMSTERDAM — Dutch voters went to the polls in local elections Wednesday, with political parties opposing Muslim immigration expected to make gains before national elections in June.

The elections in 394 cities in theory cover matters such as parking fees and taxes on dog ownership. But national politicians have put their stances on the NATO mission in Afghanistan and immigrant crime on display in hopes of influencing the local vote.

The party of prominent anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is participating in only two cities: The Hague, where most opinion polls put it in second place, and Almere, where it is running neck-and-neck with left-leaning Labor.

Wilders decided his Freedom Party, formed in 2004, lacks candidates of sufficient quality to compete credibly in other municipalities.

Wilders is facing prosecution for allegedly inciting racial hatred with remarks including calling the Quran a "fascist" book and calling for it to be banned...More