Far-right slips as Dutch go to polls

MILLIONS of Dutch voters were going to the polls yesterday in key elections overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right MP Geert Wilders.

Following last year’s shock Brexit vote, and Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential polls, the Dutch general elections are seen as a litmus test of the strength of far-right and populist parties ahead of other ballots in Europe this year.

Amid the tussle between outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte and his anti-Islam rival Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters were still hesitating between the 28 parties in the running.

Most polling stations opened at 0630 GMT, although a few, such as at Eindhoven airport, were allowed to open earlier.

Polling booths set up in schools, town halls, shops, bowling alleys and swimming pools will close at 2000 GMT, with exit polls expected shortly after.

“When people look for leadership, they look to me,” Rutte told a final debate late on Tuesday.

The leader of the Liberal VVD party, he is bidding for a third term as premier of the country of 17 million people – one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union.

Final polls appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats – well down on its 40 seats in the outgoing parliament.

Wilders was seen as slipping, clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs – but well up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before.

“I am hoping for a strong centre” coalition with Rutte joining forces with other traditional parties, Alexander van der Hooft said.

He was the first person to cast his ballot at the Wolters School in a leafy suburb in The Hague, where Rutte was expected to vote later.

“But I’m afraid it’s going to be very fragmented and difficult to form a government,” he said.

Rutte and his government officially resigned late on Tuesday ahead of yesterday’s vote. — AFP