Dutch poll tied between pro-EU liberals, anti-immigration hardliners
(MENAFN) The Netherlands’ snap general election ended in an extremely tight result, with the liberal Democrats 66 (D66) and the right-wing, anti-immigration Party for Freedom (PVV) tied, according to official results. With 98.6% of ballots counted and voter turnout at 78.4%, both parties received 16.7% of the vote, and projections indicate each would win 26 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives.
PVV leader Geert Wilders, known for his anti-Islam stance, had previously led his party to a surprise victory in 2023. His withdrawal from the ruling coalition last June—after partners rejected his proposed 10-point crackdown on immigration—prompted the early election.
Wilders’ plan included measures such as turning away all asylum seekers, closing shelters, suspending family reunifications, and deploying the army to patrol borders. Following exit polls suggesting a slight lead for D66, Wilders said he had hoped “for a different outcome” and vowed to “fight more than ever.”
D66 leader Rob Jetten expressed gratitude to his supporters, writing on X, “The positive forces have won! I want to work for all Dutch people because this country is for all of us!” Jetten indicated that forming a coalition with the center-right VVD party (14.1%), the GreenLeft-Labour alliance (12.5%), and the Christian Democrats (11.7%) would be a “logical option.”
The campaign was largely shaped by debates over immigration policies, particularly the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, alongside concerns over the housing crisis and a relatively high unemployment rate. Anti-migrant demonstrations, including a September protest in The Hague that ended in clashes with police, underscored the deep divisions in Dutch society over these issues.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
