Dutch authorities deployed tear gas and water cannons in The Hague to disperse violent anti-migration protesters on Saturday, an incident that has heightened tensions ahead of the upcoming national election and ignited debates over migration policy. Local officials confirmed that thirty people were arrested and two police officers sustained injuries during the clashes. Authorities are continuing to review camera footage and have not ruled out further arrests in the coming days.
The protest, organized by a right-wing activist, drew thousands demanding stricter migration controls and tighter restrictions on asylum seekers, occurring just over a month before the national election. Large groups of demonstrators, many waving Dutch flags and banners associated with far-right movements, confronted police, throwing rocks and bottles. Footage from broadcaster NOS showed a police vehicle set on fire and a group of protesters temporarily blocking a nearby highway.
In addition to the confrontations, protesters caused significant property damage, smashing windows at the headquarters of the centre-left D66 party, which many on the far right perceive as representing a progressive elite. D66 leader Rob Jetten highlighted the extensive damage on social media, emphasizing that extremists would not succeed in intimidating the party or undermining the country.
While anti-migration populist Geert Wilders, who has retained his lead in recent polls ahead of the October 29 election, was invited to speak at the demonstration, he did not attend. Instead, Wilders condemned the violence on social media, labeling the attacks on police as “utterly unacceptable” and referring to those involved as “idiots.” The events have intensified scrutiny on the Netherlands’ migration policies and the growing influence of far-right movements in the run-up to the national vote.
