🔗 Share this article Voting Begins in the Netherlands as Surveys Suggest Potential Repeat Victory for Firebrand Leader Geert Wilders Voting has commenced for general elections in Holland, with current polling data indicating that the anti-immigration firebrand Geert Wilders and his PVV party may repeat their emerge victorious, though experts believe PVV is unlikely of joining the next government. Survey Results and Political Landscape Wilders' party, which in the last election pulled off a surprise first-place finish and formed a multi-party all-conservative coalition that lasted barely a year, is currently marginally ahead in the polls and is forecast to secure between 24 to 28 MPs in the 150-member parliament. Nevertheless, PVV's popularity has declined since the previous election, when it secured 37 parliamentary seats. Every significant political group have stated they will not forming a government with the PVV leader, and who precipitated the collapse of the previous government in June over a dispute concerning his radical anti-refugee plans. Major Parties and Projections At the end of a campaign dominated by topics such as immigration, healthcare costs, and the country's severe housing crisis, the left-leaning GL/PvdA coalition, led by former European commissioner Frans Timmermans, is running a close second, expected to win between 22 to 26 parliamentary seats. Also performing well is the liberal-progressive D66, projected to increase its seat count nearly fivefold to 21 to 25 seats, while the centre-right CDA is expected to significantly increase its seat tally to between 18 and 22. Members of the previous government – which included the Freedom Party, VVD, BBB, and centrist New Social Contract (NSC) – are all forecast to see their representation reduced, with several experiencing significant declines. Electoral System and Political Division Under the Netherlands' electoral system, gaining just less than one percent of the national vote earns a party one MP. Among the 27 parties contesting the election – including parties for the over-50s, for youth, for animals, for a universal basic income, and sports parties – as many as 16 may gain entry to the legislature. This significant fragmentation means that no one party is expected to win a majority, and the Netherlands has been ruled by multi-party governments – often including four parties in recent governments – for more than a century. Government Formation Wilders has stated that "the democratic process would end" in the Netherlands if the PVV becomes the biggest group yet is excluded from power. But, critics and analysts argue that first place does not guarantee a role in the coalition and that any coalition with a majority is democratically valid. While the election result is uncertain and government negotiations may require months, political observers suggest that after the most radical administration in its recent history, the future government is likely to be a broad-based alliance headed by either the moderate left or moderate right. Election Day Details Voting locations, such as those in the Madurodam model village in the capital and the Anne Frank museum in the capital city, opened at 7:30 AM (6.30am GMT) and will close at 9:00 PM. A usually accurate exit poll is anticipated shortly after the polls close. Once voting concludes, an official negotiator will test potential governing alliances that could command a majority in parliament. Potential partners will then negotiate an agreement for the next four years and must face a vote of confidence in parliament before taking office.