The Dutch far-right Islamophobic party of Geert Wilders has reportedly won parliamentary elections held today, according to exit polls, causing a political earthquake that will be felt beyond the Netherlands’ borders.

The PVV (Party for Freedom) has reportedly won 35 seats and a comfortable electoral victory, according to polls by the Ipos institute. The left alliance of Frans Timmermans is second with 26 seats. The center-right VVD comes third with 23 seats, according to the same poll.

If confirmed by the final results, Wilders’ victory marks a sudden shift to the right that will cause concern in Brussels: the PVV has specifically promised to hold a referendum on the Netherlands joining the European Union.

“It may not be what other parties in Europe or in other countries are looking for, but that is democracy,” the 60-year-old politician said immediately after casting his vote.

His anti-immigration message, which includes closing borders and deporting illegal immigrants, appears to have resonated with Dutch voters.

Although Wilders appears to have triumphed in the polls, it is not certain that he will be able to form a governing coalition.

The leaders of the three other major parties assured that they would not join a coalition under the PVV.

Kate Parker, of the Economist Intelligence Unit, said this could lead to a “constitutional impasse” in the EU’s fifth-largest economy.