The Netherlands will vote on Wednesday, 29 October, after the collapse of the previous coalition, with far-right leader Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) leading polls ahead of rivals focused on housing, healthcare and immigration.
The Dutch general election is set for Wednesday, 29 October, following the fall of the government on 3 June over stricter immigration policies. Polls indicate Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) remains ahead with about 34 of parliament’s 150 seats, though the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the centre-left GroenLinks–PvdA alliance have gained ground.
Voters rank housing, healthcare and immigration as their top concerns, according to a poll by broadcaster RTL. Nearly two-thirds cited a shortage of affordable homes as their main issue, while older voters prioritise healthcare and right-leaning supporters focus on migration.
Wilders has centred his campaign on halting asylum, cutting development aid, and redirecting funds to energy and healthcare subsidies. His manifesto opens with the slogan, “This is YOUR country! The Netherlands is full, overfull, bursting at the seams.”
Under Henri Bontenbal, the Christian Democrats (CDA) have rebounded after a record low in 2023, polling about 23 seats. The GroenLinks–PvdA bloc, led by former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans, is projected to win around 25 seats with promises of solidarity, green investment and fairer wealth distribution.
The liberal D66, under Rob Jetten, has overtaken the centre-right VVD with pledges on education and housing, polling about 16 seats. The VVD, now led by Dilan Yeşilgoz after Mark Rutte’s departure, is forecast to fall to 15 seats amid voter fatigue and criticism of its economic policies.
Smaller parties, including right-wing JA21, are expected to share around 8% of the vote. The centrist NSC, part of the outgoing government, is projected to lose all its seats.
Voting stations open at 7:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) and close at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT), with the first exit poll expected at closing time. Ballots are counted by hand, and the Electoral Council will certify official results once counting concludes.
Coalition talks are likely to be lengthy. With about 15 parties expected to enter parliament, forming a governing majority could require at least four partners. Although Wilders’ PVV leads, most major parties have ruled out joining him in government, raising the prospect of complex post-election negotiations before King Willem-Alexander appoints a new cabinet.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democra...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that additional news organisations could be barred from the White House, hours after announcing bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over coverage he described as “fake news”.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged closer ties on Sunday as they sought to strengthen cooperation on geopolitical tensions, climate change, energy and the protection of democratic values.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment