Eyes from all over Europe were focused on the Netherlands as it is believed to be an indicator of whether the message from the far right is reaching across the bloc.
The right-winger wants to stop all Muslim immigration, ditch the euro and re-impose national borders. Opposing him, Mr. Rutte wants to be the leader to "halt the spread of populism".
The rise of Mr. Wilders comes as the right-wing Islamophobe Marine Le Pen stands a good chance of becoming the next French president later this year, and with the right wing on the rise in Germany ahead of this year’s elections.