EU Elections 2014: Geert Wilders' anti-Islam, anti-Europe Freedom Party Snubbed in Netherlands

A Dutch preliminary poll has indicated that the far-right, anti-Islam and Eurosceptic Freedom Party of Geert Wilders has seen its support dropping significantly in the European elections.

Wilders' party is set to lose upto 5% of its votes compared to 2009, according to an exit poll by Ipsos, and finish fourth with only 12.2%. Topping the poll are three pro-European parties: centre-right Christian Democrats, centrist Democrat 66 and prime minister Mark Rutte's Liberals.

The outspoken politician, who once compared the Koran to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, had predicted to win the elections to 23%. He blamed the disappointing result to a low turnout saying that "by staying home [voters] showed their loathing for and disinterest in the European Union. The Netherlands has not become more pro-European".

In the last European Parliament elections five years ago, the Freedom Party scored second.

Wilders was almost barred from entering in the UK, although the move was overruled by courts. The far-right politician announced last year an "historic" alliance with French National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen.

"Today is the start of the liberation of Europe from the monster of Brussels," Wilders said.

Both agreed on the need to repatriate from Brussels the power to control their countries' borders and economies. They also claimed Europe's political elite has been too tolerant of Islam. The pair formed a coalition called the European Freedom Alliance to campaign against the EU in the European elections.