In the recent Dutch elections, centrist liberal party D66, led by Rob Jetten, has taken an unexpectedly strong lead, according to exit polls. This marks a significant turnaround from the last election, where D66 finished sixth. The Ipsos I&O exit poll indicates that D66 has secured 27 seats, surpassing the anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, who garnered 25 seats. The final results remain uncertain, even though Dutch exit polls are generally reliable.
Several other parties are closely competing, including the conservative liberal party and left-wing Green-Labour party, as well as the Christian Democrats. Wilders had been leading in the polls prior to this election, but his previous coalition’s dissolution over asylum and migration issues appears to have influenced voters’ preferences, particularly as major parties expressed reluctance to partner with him again.
Jetten’s successful campaign, characterized by strong television debate performances and increased visibility, has contributed to D66’s gain in popularity. The exit polls suggest a potential coalition with the conservative liberals, who are also expected to perform well in this election.
Voters anticipated a close race, with five parties vying for influence. Notably, Wilders had previously secured 37 seats in the November 2023 election, but this latest poll indicates diminishing support as the electorate expresses reservations about his coalition-building capabilities.
The exit polls hint at setbacks for the GreenLeft-Labour party, once seen as potential frontrunners, now anticipated to finish in fourth place.
Voter concerns during the campaign prominently included migration issues and housing shortages, with Jetten’s party proposing the construction of new cities to address the lack of nearly 400,000 homes for the Dutch population of 18 million. The enthusiasm among D66 supporters at their results event in Leiden reflects a desire for progress amid ongoing challenges.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwvy4w875vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss