🔗 Share this article Polls Open in Holland as Polls Suggest Potential Repeat Win for Firebrand Leader Geert Wilders Voting has commenced for general elections in Holland, with recent surveys indicating that the far-right leader Geert Wilders and his PVV party may repeat their emerge victorious, though experts believe the party is unlikely of being part of the next government. Polling Trends and Political Landscape The PVV, which previously achieved a shock top result and established a multi-party all-conservative government that lasted barely a year, is now slightly leading in the polls and is projected to win between 24 and 28 seats in the 150-seat parliament. Nevertheless, the far-right party's support has dipped since 2023, when it won 37 parliamentary seats. Every significant political group have publicly ruled out forming a government with Wilders, who triggered the fall of the outgoing coalition in the summer amid disagreements concerning his radical immigration plans. Major Parties and Forecasts Following a campaign dominated by topics such as migration, medical expenses, and the nation's acute housing crisis, the centre-left GL/PvdA coalition, headed by former European commissioner Frans Timmermans, is running a near second, projected to win between 22 and 26 seats. Also forecast to do well is the liberal-progressive D66, predicted to increase its seat count by almost five times to 21-25 seats, while the centre-right CDA is expected to significantly increase its seat tally to between 18 to 22. Members of the previous government – which included the PVV, liberal-conservative VVD, BBB, and NSC – are all projected to see their representation reduced, with some experiencing significant declines. Electoral System and Fragmentation In the Netherlands' electoral system, securing just less than one percent of the vote yields a party a seat in parliament. Of the 27 parties participating in the vote – which include parties for the over-50s, youth parties, for animals, basic income advocates, and for sport – up to 16 may gain entry to parliament. This significant division means that no single party is expected to win a majority, and Holland has been ruled by coalitions – typically composed of several groups in the last few administrations – for over 100 years. Post-Election Scenarios The PVV leader claimed that "democracy will be dead" in the country if the his party ends up as the biggest group yet is shut out of power. However, opponents and experts say that first place does not assure government participation and that any governing alliance with a parliamentary majority is democratically valid. While the final outcome is uncertain and government negotiations could take several months, analysts indicate that following the most extreme government in recent memory, the next Dutch cabinet is expected to be a broad-based alliance headed by either the moderate left or moderate right. Voting Process Voting locations, including those in the Madurodam model village in The Hague and the Anne Frank house in the capital city, began operations at 7:30 AM (6.30am GMT) and will conclude at 9:00 PM. A typically reliable exit poll is anticipated soon after closing time. Once voting concludes, an official negotiator will test potential governing alliances that could secure enough support in the legislature. Prospective coalition members will then negotiate an agreement for the coming term and must undergo a vote of confidence in the house before taking office.