Dutch Politician Warns EU Crackdown on Speech Threatens Democracy

Geert Wilders urges U.S. to defend European freedom amid allegations of EU election interference

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV), argues that alleged European Commission interference in elections and enforcement of the Digital Services Act pose a greater threat to democracy than political disputes in the United States. Wilders claims the European Parliament has declined to examine allegations of EU meddling in European elections, and he contrasts this with remarks from U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticizing European political elites for disliking opposing viewpoints.

Why it matters

Wilders' warnings highlight growing concerns about the European Union's efforts to regulate online speech and potentially influence election outcomes across the continent. This raises questions about the balance between free expression and the EU's desire to combat misinformation, as well as the implications for democratic processes in Europe.

The details

In an op-ed for Breitbart News, Wilders cited a recent U.S. House Judiciary Committee report that examined what it characterized as Europe's decade-long campaign to regulate and censor online speech. The report alleges the European Commission has used the Digital Services Act (DSA) to pressure platforms to remove content labeled as 'disinformation,' including posts critical of EU leadership. Wilders referenced a €120 million fine imposed by Brussels on the social media platform X for noncompliance with EU regulations. He also claimed the European Parliament declined to vote on whether to debate the findings of the U.S. congressional report.

  • The Digital Services Act took effect in 2023.
  • In December 2025, the European Commission fined the social media platform X €120 million for noncompliance with EU regulations.
  • The October 2025 Dutch general elections saw Wilders' PVV party trail the pro-EU D66 party by 0.2% of the vote.

The players

Geert Wilders

Leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) and a prominent figure in Dutch politics who advocates for policies limiting EU authority over national decision-making.

JD Vance

U.S. Vice President who criticized European political elites for disliking opposing viewpoints and alternative opinions.

European Commission

The executive branch of the European Union that Wilders claims has used the Digital Services Act to pressure social media platforms to remove content critical of EU leadership.

U.S. House Judiciary Committee

A congressional committee that investigated what it characterized as Europe's decade-long campaign to regulate and censor online speech.

X

A social media platform that was fined €120 million by the European Commission for noncompliance with EU regulations.

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What they’re saying

“Europe's political elites 'simply don't like the idea that somebody with an alternative viewpoint might express a different opinion or, God forbid, vote a different way, or even worse, win an election.'”

— JD Vance, U.S. Vice President (Munich Security Conference)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Wilders' warnings highlight the growing tension between the European Union's efforts to regulate online speech and the principles of free expression and democratic governance. This raises concerns about the potential for the EU to unduly influence election outcomes and suppress dissenting views, which could have significant implications for the future of democracy in Europe.