Thursday, 28 March 2024 16:46

Dutch elections : Democracy blocks populism

Thursday, 16 March 2017

There was an outstanding turnout in the Dutch elections which took place on 15 march 2017: 81% of the 12.9 million voters went to the polls and largely elected Mark Rutte's Liberal party (VVD). The liberal party is followed by the Democratic Christian Party (CDA), the Social Democratic Party (D66), and the PVV, the populist and anti-Muslim party of Geert Wilders. The Green-left Party of Jesse Klaver -close to the PVDA (partij van de Arbeid)- could also be part of the future coalition.

The election in the Netherlands was seen as a test in a Continent where the extreme right is rising. They took place in a context of an unprecedented political crisis with Turkey’s President Erdogan following the banning of two of his ministers to hold meetings with the Turkish community of the Netherlands. The crisis seems to have benefited to Mark Rutte’s government « instead » of Geert Wilders who until then was seen by the polls as close to the leader of the VVD.

The Party of Labor (PVDA), has « fallen apart ». The electors favored other small progressive political movements, which could in the coming days be part of the coalition that will lead the country.

Since the political leaders had long before the elections decided not to deal with the populist party PVV, Geert Wilders has no chance of being part of the coalition that will rule the country.

CCME

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