Leon Meijer, a member of the Christian Union party, was speaking as Dutch voters went to the polls for the country's general election on Wednesday.
Geert Wilders (above), founder and leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, has gained significant support from some areas of the nation because of his opposition to immigration, Islam and the European Union.
Wilders' election pledges include closing mosques in the Netherlands, banning immigration from Muslim countries and taking the country out of the EU.
It's unlikely the Party for Freedom will gain enough seats to command a majority in the Dutch parliament given the fact that every mainstream political party is refusing to form a government with it, however it could gain a significant voice in decision-making.
Dutch Prime Minister and poll leader Mark Rutte casts his vote for the Dutch general election
Speaking to Premier, Leon Meijer said: "It would be foolish to ignore the people in the street and what they are saying... They feel insecure, they feel the migration policy has affected their lives and their fear of terrorism is a genuine fear that needs to be addressed.
"But as a Christian I'm very strongly in favour of the freedom of religion, which he is fighting against. Taking the freedom of religion away from Muslims can also affect me as a Protestant."
Listen to Premier's Lisa Mainwaring speaking to Leon Meijers:
