The polls are open for general elections in Holland, with current polling data indicating that the anti-immigration firebrand Geert Wilders and his PVV party may repeat their win the most seats, though experts suggest PVV stands little chance of joining the next government.
Wilders' party, which in the last election achieved a shock first-place finish and formed a multi-party all-conservative government that collapsed within a year, is now marginally ahead in the polls and is projected to secure between 24 to 28 seats in the 150-member parliament.
However, the far-right party's popularity has dipped since the previous election, when it won 37 seats. All major parties have publicly ruled out entering into a coalition with the PVV leader, and who triggered the fall of the outgoing coalition in June amid disagreements concerning his radical anti-refugee plans.
Following a election period focused on topics such as immigration, healthcare costs, and the country's severe housing crisis, the left-leaning Green Left/Labour party alliance, headed by former European commissioner Frans Timmermans, is placed a close second, projected to win between 22 to 26 parliamentary seats.
Also performing well is the liberal-progressive D66, predicted to increase its seat count by almost five times to 21-25 seats, while the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDA) is anticipated to more than double its seat tally to between 18 to 22.
Members of the previous government – which included the Freedom Party, VVD, BBB, and centrist New Social Contract (NSC) – are all forecast to see their representation reduced, with some experiencing significant losses.
Under the Netherlands' electoral system, securing just 0.67% of the vote yields a party a seat in parliament. Of the 27 parties participating in the vote – including senior-focused parties, for youth, for animals, for a universal basic income, and for sport – up to 16 could enter parliament.
This high degree of fragmentation ensures that no single party is expected to win a majority, and Holland has been ruled by multi-party governments – typically composed of several groups in the last few administrations – for more than a century.
The PVV leader claimed that "democracy will be dead" in the Netherlands if the PVV becomes the largest party yet is shut out of government. But, opponents and experts argue that winning the most seats does not guarantee a role in the coalition and that any governing alliance with a majority is democratically valid.
While the final outcome is uncertain and government negotiations could take months, analysts suggest that after the most extreme government in its recent history, the next Dutch cabinet is likely to be a inclusive coalition headed by either the centre-left or centrist right.
Voting locations, including those in the miniature city Madurodam in the capital and the Anne Frank museum in the capital city, began operations at 7.30am (6:30 GMT) and will conclude at 9:00 PM. A usually accurate post-voting survey is expected soon after closing time.
Once voting concludes, an official negotiator will explore potential governing alliances that could secure enough support in the legislature. Prospective coalition members will then negotiate an agreement for the next four years and must face a confidence vote in the house before assuming power.
A seasoned gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and sharing winning strategies.
