The success of right-wing politician Geert Wilders in the Netherlands general election has dominated international coverage of the vote but masked the growth of the Dutch farmer’s party.

Wilders’ views on a range of issues including immigration and Islam have been branded so controversial he was refused entry to the UK in 2009 and now lives under close protection.

In a shock result, Wilders’ Freedom Party secured 37 of the 150 seats, well ahead of his nearest rivals, although compromise and negotiation will be required if the bouffant-haired politician achieves his ambition of becoming Prime Minister.

Coming sixth, the Farmer Citizen Movement party (BBB)secured seven seats.

Founded in 2019, BBB has grown in popularity, giving a strong performance in the provincial elections earlier this year.

The party is deemed ‘Eurosceptic’ by many and calls for a ‘realistic policy’ where ‘the countryside has a future’.

Its electoral success moves it away from being a party of protest against the government’s environmental policies and into a position of influence.

Anger has been growing in the countryside across the Netherlands against moves to slash nitrogen-based emissions by half by 2030, with livestock farmers a key part of the process. Agriculture accounts for some 46% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Nature Minister Christianne van der Wal is attempting to convince farmers to reduce livestock herds in a bid to cut the figures.

The BBB attracted international attention when farmers carried out a range of protests including blockading roads, setting fire to hay bales near roads, and dumping manure on main roads.

Last year, protests by farmers outside the home of the country’s agriculture minister were condemned by the then Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte. He said: “So don’t block highways, don’t set off fireworks outside a minister’s house and spread manure and … scare two children, and endanger families.”

Some farmers in Scotland have called for a similar party to be established.