🔗 Share this article Elections Underway in Holland as Polls Suggest Possible Repeat Victory for Geert Wilders Voting has commenced for general elections in the Netherlands, with current polling data indicating that the anti-immigration firebrand Geert Wilders and his Freedom party (PVV) could once again emerge victorious, though experts suggest the party stands little chance of joining the future coalition. Survey Results and Political Landscape The PVV, which in the last election achieved a shock first-place finish and established a multi-party all-conservative government that collapsed within a year, is currently slightly leading in surveys and is projected to win between 24 and 28 seats in the 150-member parliament. Nevertheless, PVV's popularity has dipped since the previous election, when it won 37 seats. All major parties have publicly ruled out entering into a coalition with Wilders, and who precipitated the collapse of the outgoing coalition in June over a dispute concerning his radical anti-refugee proposals. Major Parties and Projections Following a campaign dominated by issues such as migration, healthcare costs, and the country's severe housing shortage, the left-leaning GL/PvdA coalition, headed by ex-EU official Frans Timmermans, is placed a close second, projected to win between 22 and 26 parliamentary seats. Also forecast to do well is the liberal-progressive Democrats 66, predicted to increase its seat count nearly fivefold to 21 to 25 seats, while the right-leaning CDA is anticipated to more than double its seat tally to between 18 to 22. The outgoing cabinet members – comprising the Freedom Party, liberal-conservative VVD, BBB, and NSC – are all projected to see their representation reduced, with some experiencing significant declines. Electoral System and Political Division In the proportional Dutch system, securing just less than one percent of the national vote earns a party one MP. Of the two dozen political groups contesting the election – which include senior-focused parties, for youth, animal rights parties, for a universal basic income, and for sport – as many as 16 may gain entry to parliament. This significant division ensures that no single party is ever likely to secure a majority, and the Netherlands has been governed by coalitions – often including several groups in the last few administrations – for over 100 years. Government Formation The PVV leader claimed that "democracy will be dead" in the country if the his party becomes the largest party yet is excluded from power. However, critics and analysts argue that winning the most seats does not assure government participation and that any coalition with a parliamentary majority is a democratic outcome. Although the election result is hard to predict and coalition talks may require several months, political observers indicate that after the most extreme government in its recent history, the next Dutch cabinet is expected to be a inclusive alliance headed by either the centre-left or centrist right. Voting Process Polling stations, such as those in the Madurodam model village in the capital and the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, opened at 7.30am (6:30 GMT) and will close at 9pm. A typically reliable exit poll is expected soon after the polls close. After the vote, an official negotiator will explore possible coalitions that could command a majority in the legislature. Potential partners will then draft a governing pact for the coming term and must undergo a vote of confidence in the house before taking office.