Polling stations across the Netherlands opened this morning for early parliamentary elections, less than two years after far-right leader Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) unexpectedly won the most votes.
Wilders, a member of parliament under constant police protection for over 20 years due to death threats, triggered these snap elections in June by withdrawing his party from the four-party governing coalition, amid disputes over his immigration restriction plans.
Immigration control has been the dominant issue in the campaign for all 150 seats in the Dutch parliament, reflecting public debate over the country’s migration policies.
However, even if Wilders emerges as the top vote-getter again, recent polls suggest an uncertain outcome, and forming a governing majority could prove difficult, as the leading parties have already ruled out joining a coalition with him.
