Chaos erupted on the streets of The Hague as right-wing activists clashed with police. The protests, fueled by strong anti-immigrant views, turned violent. Police used tear gas and water cannons to get things under control. Officers arrested 30 people, and two police officers were hurt.
The demonstration brought together about 1,500 people. Many waved the Dutch national flag. Others displayed banners from far-right groups. Their main demand was for tougher rules on immigration. This street unrest shows the rising political heat in the country.
Things got out of hand when some protesters blocked a highway. It cuts right through the city. They also set a police car on fire and threw objects at officers. The tension quickly grew.
Vandals also targeted the D66 party headquarters. This party is center-left. Many see it as representing a progressive, educated elite. Rioters broke windows and damaged property inside. Rob Jetten, the leader of D66, quickly spoke out on X. He said, “If you think you can scare us… No way. We will not let radical rioters steal our beautiful country.”
The country’s prime minister, Dick Schoof, also condemned the events. He called the scenes “shocking and insane.” He added that such “blatant violence” was simply unacceptable. These harsh words underscore the seriousness of the situation.
Even Geert Wilders, a key right-wing figure, spoke against the violence. Wilders won the last election. He is still leading in opinion polls for the upcoming election on October 29. Though invited to the protest, he criticized attacks on police. He called such actions “completely unacceptable” and “idiotic.” His party, PVV, pulled out of the previous government coalition in June. This happened because of disagreements over immigration policy. The government later collapsed.
This burst of public anger comes just months before people head to the polls again. It highlights how deeply divided the country is over immigration. The upcoming election feels more critical than ever.
Source: BBC