Netherlands Votes in Snap Election as Wilders’ PVV Leads Polls but Remains Isolated

Overview

• Early legislative elections are being held to fill the 150-seat lower house, with polls showing the far-right PVV ahead but lacking coalition partners.
• Turnout reached 38% by 15:45 local time, according to Ipsos I&O, slightly below the comparable point in 2023.
• Analysts expect no party to reach the 76-seat majority threshold, pointing to protracted negotiations that could echo the 223 days needed to form the last government.
• Voters prioritized immigration, housing and health during a campaign described by reporters as marred by violence and disinformation.
• The vote follows the June collapse of the coalition after the PVV quit over asylum policy, an outcome watched as a barometer of far-right strength across Europe.