Dutch To Get First New Prime Minister in Over a Decade
Over a decade since the Dutch voters had a change in leadership, polling indicates a tight race between at least three parties, including the far-right, as the country heads to its general election. This election comes after the collapse of the Rutte government and is expected to have wide-ranging implications on immigration, climate change policies, and the country’s role in the European Union.
Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) has been on the rise, tying for the lead with the conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The far-right leader has campaigned on a platform calling for the closing of borders and zero asylum seekers, resonating with some voters who hope for a new direction in immigration policies.
The election results are expected to have implications beyond the country’s borders. With the Netherlands being a founding member of the European Union, the outcome of the election could also impact the country’s relations with its EU partners. Some parties on the right have suggested seeking exemptions from the bloc’s rules on agriculture and immigration, which has raised concerns among other EU leaders.
All eyes are on this tight election as no party is on track to take more than 20% of the vote. This means that forming a coalition government will require negotiations among several parties, potentially taking months to form a new government.
Despite the challenges and the uncertainty of the election outcome, Dutch voters turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots, with voting taking place in various locations such as museums, train stations, and even a petting zoo.
The results of the election are expected to be revealed later in the day, with the potential for a significant shift in Dutch politics and policies.