Post by : Badri Ariffin

The Netherlands began voting on Wednesday in a tightly fought national election that could reshape the country’s political landscape and test the strength of Europe’s far-right movements.

Early polls show Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) holding a narrow edge over centrist rivals. The race remains wide open, with four major parties competing neck and neck and nearly half the electorate still undecided.

Polling stations opened before dawn to allow early commuters to cast their votes, with the first exit polls expected after 9 p.m. local time. The result could signal whether Dutch voters will rally behind Wilders’ anti-immigration message or return to centrist stability after two turbulent years of conservative rule.

Wilders, often called the “Dutch Trump,” has built his campaign around strict immigration controls, promising to halt all asylum applications and redirect international aid toward domestic needs. His hardline stance has struck a chord with voters frustrated over rising migration and housing shortages.

The PVV’s rivals, including the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democrats, have already ruled out forming a coalition with Wilders — making it unlikely for him to secure the prime minister’s post even if his party tops the vote.

The Dutch political system’s proportional representation ensures no single party reaches the 76-seat majority, setting the stage for complex coalition talks in the coming weeks. Competing for voter attention are the Christian Democrats under Henri Bontenbal, who emphasizes stability and family values, and the centrist D66 led by Rob Jetten, focused on housing, education, and climate policy.

The election was triggered after Wilders pulled his support from the previous four-party coalition over immigration quota disputes, collapsing the government and forcing an early vote.

As the European Union’s fifth-largest economy casts its ballots, all eyes are on whether the Netherlands will lean further toward nationalist politics — or reaffirm its centrist foundations amid growing polarization across Europe.

#News, #Economic