Dutch Election: Far-right Poised for Gains in Close Race
Dutch voters head to the polls in a highly anticipated election with multiple parties, including the far right, vying for the leading position Discover the critical issues at stake in this nail-biting contest
Dutch voters went to the polls on Wednesday for a tense election, with polls indicating that at least three parties, including the far right, could be vying for the top position. A weighted poll released on the eve of the election revealed that the anti-Islam Geert Wilders Freedom Party (PVV) was tied for first place with the conservative Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
"Tomorrow I hope to not wake up with Wilders as our prime minister. It's a nightmare," shared Arie van der Neut, an architect from Amsterdam, after voting for the pro-European, center-left Volt party.
Mark Rutte will be leaving the post of prime minister after 13 years.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The only guarantee is that the Netherlands will have a new prime minister for the first time in ten years, following Rutte's resignation in July due to the collapse of his fourth coalition government, concluding a 13-year term.
No party is projected to win more than 20% of the vote. With recent polls indicating an increase in support for Labour leader Frans Timmermans and Wilders, and a significant number of undecided voters, various outcomes are possible.
Despite being tradition, there is no assurance that the party with the most seats will form the prime minister in a country where the vote is divided among multiple parties and coalition negotiations can last for months.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed the press during a break after announcing the collapse of his coalition government in The Hague on July 10, 2023. Rutte, who has been the country's longest-serving leader, stated that he would be stepping down from politics following the fall of the four-party coalition due to a disagreement over asylum seeker limits. (Photo by Robin van Lonkhuijsen / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is set to retire from politics following the collapse of the government. The controversial topic of immigration, which led to the downfall of Rutte's previous cabinet, has been a major focus in the campaign, along with climate change.
"It's time for a change. The Netherlands needs to prioritize our own citizens. We must close our borders and stop accepting asylum seekers," stated Wilders during a recent television debate.
In response to Wilders, Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz, a Turkish immigrant known for her tough stance on immigration and potentially the country's first female prime minister, commented, "I don't believe Wilders represents the values of a prime minister for all. His focus on closing borders and excluding certain groups goes against the inclusive nature of the Netherlands."
Issues in election
Lawmaker Pieter Omtzigt, a centrist who established his own party following a split with the Christian Democrats, currently lags slightly behind the top three in the most recent polls, but is still expected to have a significant impact.
The election will determine if voters in one of Europe's wealthiest nations are willing to support expensive climate policies, including the installation of offshore wind farms, despite the current cost-of-living crisis. As a founding member of the EU and with Rutte playing a crucial role in EU summits, other leaders will be closely watching the outcome. Right-wing parties have proposed seeking exceptions from the EU's regulations on agriculture and immigration, adding to the significance of the election.
The voting booths will close at 9 p.m. (3 p.m. ET) when the national broadcaster NOS releases its initial exit poll results. A victory for Wilders could potentially result in the Netherlands forming a hard-right coalition with a strong anti-immigration stance, despite his efforts to present a more moderate image in order to gain a place in the government.
A hard-right coalition may also lead to a reconsideration of proposals to decrease livestock and fertilizer use, which are staunchly resisted by farmers. If Timmermans holds a stronger position, this could shift the next government towards the center and result in increased funding for climate policies and social spending, as well as a possible increase in the minimum wage.
Rutte will remain in a caretaker role until a new government is installed, likely in the first half of 2024.
