Dutch voters head to polls in election test for Europe’s far-right
Firebrand Geert Wilders is narrowly on course for a win, but all mainstream parties have ruled out a partnership with him
The Dutch headed to the polls on Wednesday for a snap election seen as a litmus test for the strength of the far-right, which has made powerful gains across Europe.
Polls suggest anti-immigration and anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders is narrowly on course to repeat his stunning election success from two years ago with his far-right Freedom Party (PVV).
But with half the electorate still undecided, the result is too close to call, and a pack of three other parties has been closing the gap in recent days.
“It is impossible to tell right now who might win the elections because there are four parties tied for first place,” Sarah de Lange, professor of Dutch politics at Leiden University, said.
“And on top of that, over 50 per cent of Dutch voters are still undecided,” she added.