🔗 Share this article Voting Begins in Holland as Surveys Point to Possible Second Victory for Firebrand Leader Geert Wilders The polls are open for general elections in the Netherlands, with recent surveys suggesting that the anti-immigration firebrand Geert Wilders and his Freedom party (PVV) could once again win the most seats, though experts believe the party is unlikely of being part of the future coalition. Polling Trends and Political Landscape The PVV, which in the last election achieved a shock first-place finish and established a four-party right-leaning government that collapsed within a year, is currently marginally ahead in the polls and is projected to secure between 24 to 28 seats in the 150-seat parliament. Nevertheless, the far-right party's support has dipped since the previous election, when it secured 37 seats. All major parties have stated they will not forming a government with the PVV leader, who precipitated the collapse of the outgoing coalition in the summer amid a dispute concerning his radical immigration plans. Major Parties and Forecasts Following a campaign dominated by topics such as migration, medical expenses, and the country's acute housing shortage, the left-leaning Green Left/Labour party alliance, led by former European commissioner Frans Timmermans, is placed a close second, expected to win between 22 and 26 parliamentary seats. Also forecast to do well is the centrist D66, predicted to boost its representation nearly fivefold to 21-25 seats, while the centre-right CDA is anticipated to more than double its number of MPs to between 18 and 22. Members of the previous government – which included the Freedom Party, liberal-conservative VVD, BBB, and NSC – are all projected to see their representation reduced, with some experiencing significant losses. Voting Process and Fragmentation In the proportional Dutch system, gaining just less than one percent of the national vote yields a party a seat in parliament. Among 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 could enter the legislature. This high degree of division means that no one party is ever likely to win a majority, and Holland has been ruled by coalitions – often including four parties in recent governments – for over 100 years. Government Formation The PVV leader claimed that "democracy will be dead" in the Netherlands if the PVV ends up as the largest party yet is excluded from power. However, opponents and experts argue that winning the most seats does not guarantee a role in the coalition and that any governing alliance with a parliamentary majority is democratically valid. Although the final outcome is hard to predict and coalition talks may require several months, political observers indicate that following the most extreme government in recent memory, the next Dutch cabinet is expected to be a inclusive alliance led by either the centre-left or centrist right. Voting Process Voting locations, including those in the miniature city Madurodam in The Hague and the Anne Frank house in the capital city, opened at 7:30 AM (6.30am GMT) and will close at 9pm. A typically reliable post-voting survey is anticipated shortly after closing time. After the vote, an official negotiator will test possible coalitions that could command a majority in parliament. Potential partners will then negotiate an agreement for the coming term and must face a confidence vote in the house before taking office.