Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) faces a competitive election in the upcoming Dutch vote on Wednesday, amid various socio-economic challenges. While Wilders was a significant figure in the last election held in November 2023, recent opinion polls indicate a decrease in his support. Dutch voters are currently addressing issues such as a housing crisis, overcrowded asylum centers, and rising living costs, including high rents and healthcare expenses.
Unlike the previous election, Wilders’ rivals are now hesitant to collaborate with him after he dissolved his coalition government in June. As the election approaches, voting at over 10,000 polling stations will continue until 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Analysts suggest that the identity of the runner-up may heavily influence the formation of the next government, with indications that a coalition may emerge from the center-left or center-right.
Key parties expected to emerge from the election include the GreenLeft-Labour coalition led by Frans Timmermans, Rob Jetten’s liberal D66, and the center-right Christian Democrats (CDA) led by Henri Bontenbal. A substantial portion of Dutch voters, nearly half, prioritize the housing crisis, facing a deficit of approximately 400,000 homes in a population of 18 million. Housing has become a central focus in pre-election debates, with promises from various parties to tackle the situation.
Unemployment, currently at 4%, is noted as relatively low among European standards but marks the highest rise in the Netherlands in four years, with an 8.8% increase in claimants for unemployment benefits. Wilders’ previous role in Dutch politics, both in forming and subsequently bringing down a coalition, has shaped current dynamics, especially as he navigates criticism and potential shifts in voter loyalty. Coalition formation may take several weeks, with Bontenbal’s CDA potentially emerging as a leading party in a post-election government.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20p6z2j5dro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss