The Netherlands is holding a snap election that will be a litmus test for the strength of the far right in Europe. The election is pitifully close, with opinion polls showing Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) narrowly leading, but three other parties closing the gap. With half the electorate still undecided, the result is too close to call.
The election has been dominated by immigration and housing issues, with Wilders campaigning on a promise to stop all asylum migration to the Netherlands. However, all mainstream parties have ruled out a partnership with Wilders, finding his views too unpalatable and viewing him as an untrustworthy coalition partner. This means that even if Wilders wins, he will likely be blocked from power unless he wins by an unexpectedly wide margin.
Voters are divided over Wilders, with some seeing him as a champion of Dutch interests and others viewing him as a threat to democracy. The election campaign has been marred by violence and disinformation, with demonstrators clashing with police over asylum seeker shelters.
The outcome of the election is uncertain, but what is clear is that coalition horse-trading will take months. The last government required 223 days to form, and outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof will run the country until then.
