This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/mar/15/dutch-election-voters-go-to-the-polls-in-the-netherlands-live

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Dutch election: Mark Rutte's VVD party takes lead as vote count starts – live Dutch election: Mark Rutte's VVD party takes lead as vote count starts – live
(35 minutes later)
12.20am GMT
00:20
Wilders: 'We're among the winners'
Geert Wilders – whose far-right PVV has not performed as well as he, or polls, expected – has said he would be willing to enter coalition talks. (All main parties have said they will not go into coalition with PVV, and it currently doesn’t look as if the first-placed VVD will need Wilders.)
Geert Wilders says he is ready to join a coalition. But if that does not happen, 'we will form a strong opposition over the next five years'
Wilders: 'I'd preferred to have been the winner of the elections, but the VVD have lost 10 seats and we're among the winners in second.'
Wilders calls Rutte's comments on 'the wrong sort of populism' 'very worrying, as if populists are semi-Nazis'.
Wilders: 'If all the losers like the VVD form a government, we need to have a strong opposition of winners like the PVV.'
12.13am GMT
00:13
With 28% of votes counted, here’s how the projection of seats won stands:
VVD 32 seats
Christian Democrats 20
PVV (Wilders’ Freedom party) 19
Democrats 66 18
GreenLeft 14
SP 14
PvdA (Labour) 10
12.06am GMT
00:06
Jon Henley
The Dutch poll differed from Trump’s election and the Brexit referendum. Those were one-on-one, winner-take-all contests for which the victor needed 50% – or in the US poll, very nearly 50% – of the vote.
The result in the Netherlands was always going to be a coalition of at least four, possibly five, parties that will take months to form and have to govern by compromise and consensus. And all main parties had vowed not to work with Wilders.
So even if Geert Wilders’ PVV had ended up as the largest party, it would almost certainly have been locked out of government.
Even if it had not been, in order to pass new legislation it would have needed, as well as the lower house, the Dutch senate on board – where it currently has nine out of 75 seats.
Wilders may prompt comparisons with Trump and Brexit – in hairstyle, campaign slogan (“Take our country back”), presentation and predilection for Twitter – but it was never clear how much of his programme he could have implemented in practice.
Nor were the Dutch likely to vote to leave the EU any time soon. The prospect of a “Nexit” referendum had gained currency abroad, but the other parties would not have backed it and there is no evidence a majority of voters would either.
The far right in France and Germany would, certainly, have hailed a Wilders win as a nativist, anti-establishment triumph.
But despite loudly welcoming both Brexit and Trump as the beginning of a “patriotic revolution”, the Front National in France and AfD in Germany saw no improvement in their polling afterwards.
11.55pm GMT
23:55
This projection of seats won, courtesy of Die Zeit and not a final tally, puts Rutte’s VVD on 33 seats, with the Christian Democrats in second place.
Wilders’ PVV shares third spot with Democrats 66 – but PVV is unlikely to be part of any coalition negotiations, with all major parties pledging not to work with the far-right party.
Die erste Hochrechnung ist da! Alle Informationen zur Wahl finden Sie in unserem Live Blog: https://t.co/7RJFHugxkO #DutchElection pic.twitter.com/h2miUk3VwN
11.47pm GMT11.47pm GMT
23:4723:47
Before coalition negotiations begin on Thursday morning, incumbent PM – and likely next PM – Mark Rutte has some other business to attend to: teaching.Before coalition negotiations begin on Thursday morning, incumbent PM – and likely next PM – Mark Rutte has some other business to attend to: teaching.
Question to Rutte: What is first thing you'll do tomorrow? "Teach." (He moonlights as a secondary school teacher in the Hague - true story).Question to Rutte: What is first thing you'll do tomorrow? "Teach." (He moonlights as a secondary school teacher in the Hague - true story).
11.40pm GMT11.40pm GMT
23:4023:40
This visual shows the shift in voting in Amsterdam, where GreenLeft (GL) has surged to become the biggest winner – and Labour (PvdA) the biggest loser:This visual shows the shift in voting in Amsterdam, where GreenLeft (GL) has surged to become the biggest winner – and Labour (PvdA) the biggest loser:
Result from Amsterdam is in. GreenLeft and D66 largest parties, huge blow for Labour there. Large Muslim population pushes Denk to 7.5% pic.twitter.com/uQj30m8fm8Result from Amsterdam is in. GreenLeft and D66 largest parties, huge blow for Labour there. Large Muslim population pushes Denk to 7.5% pic.twitter.com/uQj30m8fm8
11.30pm GMT11.30pm GMT
23:3023:30
Carmen FishwickCarmen Fishwick
I’ve been speaking to supporters of GroenLinks (Green-Left), who quadrupled their MPs from four to 16. The party’s charismatic leader is being hailed as “Jessiah”, with similarities to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.I’ve been speaking to supporters of GroenLinks (Green-Left), who quadrupled their MPs from four to 16. The party’s charismatic leader is being hailed as “Jessiah”, with similarities to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
They are realistic, instead of optimistic like the other left-wing partiesThey are realistic, instead of optimistic like the other left-wing parties
I hope their plans to raise the taxes for cars but lower the cost of public transport – as well as make it more accessible – happen. Also, their plans to lower the cost of university and increase financial aid. And the use of alternative energy sources.I hope their plans to raise the taxes for cars but lower the cost of public transport – as well as make it more accessible – happen. Also, their plans to lower the cost of university and increase financial aid. And the use of alternative energy sources.
Jesse Klaver is trustworthy, young and dynamic. They are rather realistic, instead of optimistic like the other left-wing parties.Jesse Klaver is trustworthy, young and dynamic. They are rather realistic, instead of optimistic like the other left-wing parties.
– Eva,18, foreign language student in France, with Dutch nationality– Eva,18, foreign language student in France, with Dutch nationality
I hope they can make sure we keep investing in foreign aidI hope they can make sure we keep investing in foreign aid
I hope they make sure the next government invests more into renewable energy, that we keep investing in foreign aid, which is much more effective in dealing with the refugee problem than closing the borders.I hope they make sure the next government invests more into renewable energy, that we keep investing in foreign aid, which is much more effective in dealing with the refugee problem than closing the borders.
I have mixed feelings about Klaver. Yes, he is a new impulse and he has a nice story to tell – young, son of a Moroccan father, worked hard – but it feels like he is using this story a bit too much. He is trying a bit too hard to be the new Dutch Obama or Trudeau.I have mixed feelings about Klaver. Yes, he is a new impulse and he has a nice story to tell – young, son of a Moroccan father, worked hard – but it feels like he is using this story a bit too much. He is trying a bit too hard to be the new Dutch Obama or Trudeau.
– Stef, 21, university student, Tilburg– Stef, 21, university student, Tilburg
This election may determine whether we become the UK and US, or if we maintain our progressive valuesThis election may determine whether we become the UK and US, or if we maintain our progressive values
Groenlinks is one of the few parties with fresh ideas. It has a young face and stands for tolerance and European integration, which are the most important things to cling to in the current political climate.Groenlinks is one of the few parties with fresh ideas. It has a young face and stands for tolerance and European integration, which are the most important things to cling to in the current political climate.
I want the Netherlands to be part of the EU, in which people live together in peace instead of spreading hate. Everyone is allowed to say what they want and believe what they want, up to the point where it insults other members of society.I want the Netherlands to be part of the EU, in which people live together in peace instead of spreading hate. Everyone is allowed to say what they want and believe what they want, up to the point where it insults other members of society.
This election may determine whether we become the UK and US, or if we maintain our progressive values of tolerance and harmony.This election may determine whether we become the UK and US, or if we maintain our progressive values of tolerance and harmony.
– Vlad, 19, student, living in Leiden– Vlad, 19, student, living in Leiden
11.19pm GMT11.19pm GMT
23:1923:19
Our reporter Gordon Darroch, in the Hague, has some totting-up of seats and possible coalitions:Our reporter Gordon Darroch, in the Hague, has some totting-up of seats and possible coalitions:
Projection based on early results (9%) gives VVD 33 seats and CDA 25. Would have enough for a majority with D66's 18 seats.Projection based on early results (9%) gives VVD 33 seats and CDA 25. Would have enough for a majority with D66's 18 seats.
Negotiations to form a multi-party coalition to get that parliamentary majority will begin on Thursday and could continue for some time.Negotiations to form a multi-party coalition to get that parliamentary majority will begin on Thursday and could continue for some time.
11.02pm GMT11.02pm GMT
23:0223:02
This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as it ticks over into Thursday in the Netherlands.This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as it ticks over into Thursday in the Netherlands.
We have results from Amsterdam, where GreenLeft has come out on top:We have results from Amsterdam, where GreenLeft has come out on top:
Netherlands (#Amsterdam), result:GL (G/EFA): 19.3%D66 (ALDE): 18.2VVD (ALDE): 15.2PvdA (S&D): 8.4DENK (*): 7.5PVV (ENF): 7#TK17Netherlands (#Amsterdam), result:GL (G/EFA): 19.3%D66 (ALDE): 18.2VVD (ALDE): 15.2PvdA (S&D): 8.4DENK (*): 7.5PVV (ENF): 7#TK17
10.49pm GMT10.49pm GMT
22:4922:49
I’m handing over this liveblog to my colleague Claire Phipps now, who will keep you posted with live results and reaction from the 2017 Dutch election as we get them.I’m handing over this liveblog to my colleague Claire Phipps now, who will keep you posted with live results and reaction from the 2017 Dutch election as we get them.
Thanks for reading and being with us tonight. Or as GreenLeft might put it:Thanks for reading and being with us tonight. Or as GreenLeft might put it:
Iedereen die deze campagne geholpen heeft: DANKJEWEL!Bouw mee aan onze beweging 👉 https://t.co/1pES0ksQpC. pic.twitter.com/erWHyopJZ5Iedereen die deze campagne geholpen heeft: DANKJEWEL!Bouw mee aan onze beweging 👉 https://t.co/1pES0ksQpC. pic.twitter.com/erWHyopJZ5
10.42pm GMT10.42pm GMT
22:4222:42
Angela Merkel congratulates RutteAngela Merkel congratulates Rutte
German chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Mark Rutte on his party’s strong showing in the 2017 election in a telephone conversation. According to Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert, she said:German chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Mark Rutte on his party’s strong showing in the 2017 election in a telephone conversation. According to Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert, she said:
I look forward to working with you as friends, neighbours and Europeans.I look forward to working with you as friends, neighbours and Europeans.
Kanzlerin #Merkel hat @markrutte telefonisch gratuliert. "Ich freue mich auf weiter gute Zusammenarbeit als Freunde, Nachbarn, Europäer."Kanzlerin #Merkel hat @markrutte telefonisch gratuliert. "Ich freue mich auf weiter gute Zusammenarbeit als Freunde, Nachbarn, Europäer."
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.59pm GMTat 10.59pm GMT
10.39pm GMT10.39pm GMT
22:3922:39
GreenLeft leader hailed as the "Jessiah"GreenLeft leader hailed as the "Jessiah"
Jon HenleyJon Henley
Jon Henley has this piece from the night on the surprise gains for the GreenLeft.Jon Henley has this piece from the night on the surprise gains for the GreenLeft.
The big winner of Wednesday’s Dutch election – and now the largest party of the left for the first time – was GreenLeft, headed by 30-year-old Jesse Klaver, hailed by his enthusiastic supporters as the “Jessiah”.The big winner of Wednesday’s Dutch election – and now the largest party of the left for the first time – was GreenLeft, headed by 30-year-old Jesse Klaver, hailed by his enthusiastic supporters as the “Jessiah”.
According to a generally reliable Ipsos exit poll, the party, formed 25 years ago by a merger of communists, pacifists, evangelicals and self-styled radicals, quadrupled its MPs from four to 16 after a storming campaign by Klaver.According to a generally reliable Ipsos exit poll, the party, formed 25 years ago by a merger of communists, pacifists, evangelicals and self-styled radicals, quadrupled its MPs from four to 16 after a storming campaign by Klaver.
“This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory,” said the GreenLeft chairwoman, Marjolein Meijer. The result showed there was “very fertile ground in the Netherlands for change and a positive and hopeful story,” she said. “For us this is just the start.”“This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory,” said the GreenLeft chairwoman, Marjolein Meijer. The result showed there was “very fertile ground in the Netherlands for change and a positive and hopeful story,” she said. “For us this is just the start.”
The party celebrated its historic advance with a tweet showing a gif of Kermit the Frog dancing for joy.The party celebrated its historic advance with a tweet showing a gif of Kermit the Frog dancing for joy.
10.36pm GMT
22:36
Reports: PVV wins in Rotterdam
Dutch TV station RTV Rijnmond is reporting that PVV is the largest party in Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second biggest city.
PVV is grootste in Rotterdam https://t.co/Cw1SCymEjx
Geert Wilders has tweeted in response:
Rotterdam voor de PVV! https://t.co/MTdwQbzCxl
Updated
at 11.00pm GMT
10.31pm GMT
22:31
Mark Rutte: "The Netherlands has said enough to the wrong kind of populism"
#rutte : What a night! I predicted this! We are biggest third time in a row! #dutchelections pic.twitter.com/J8TQmfeCU2
Mark Rutte has spoken following the exit polls which put his party in pole position.
Here’s a loose translation of his speech:
It seems like for the third time in a row the VVD is the Netherlands biggest party.
Our message to the Netherlands – that we will hold our course, and keep this country safe and stable – got though.
I have had lots of European colleagues on the line. This is an evening where the Netherlands, after Brexit and Trump, said: “That’s enough of the wrong sort of populism.”
He called the high turnout “a festival of democracy”.
Rutte: 'It was a festival of democracy with queues outside polling stations. We haven't seen that for a long time.'
We also discovered his favourite song is Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, which is my take-home fact of the night.
Mark Rutte makes his entrance to Bruno Mars 'Uptown Funk' - apparently his favourite record.
Updated
at 11.01pm GMT
10.00pm GMT
22:00
Exit poll: Green parties increase representation
The best news of the Dutch elections: the parties that take climate change seriously double their number of seats. From 15% to 31%.
Author Rutger Bregman has pointed out that parties that are concerned with environmental issues doubled their number of seats from 15% to 31%.
Animal Rights Party leader Thieme points out that parties with green-focused programmes have doubled their representation. https://t.co/9VDNfifpy2
9.49pm GMT
21:49
Mark Rutte’s VVD party leading first Dutch election exit poll – video report
9.42pm GMT
21:42
GreenLeft hails "great results"
Kathalijne Buitenweg, de nummer 2 van GroenLinks, is blij: "Wij zetten in op een zo progressief mogelijke coalitie." https://t.co/zFzGcybhCj pic.twitter.com/rGVau9exoL
Kathalijne Buitenweg, the chair of the GreenLeft delegation in the European parliament, has commented on the party’s gains.
We’ve never had such great results – we quadrupled our seats – and I am incredibly proud of the party and all the people who voted and campaigned.
It’s clear people have had enough of the current climate of polarisation, and want a message of positivity and I am proud of that.
Updated
at 11.02pm GMT
9.40pm GMT
21:40
Socialist Party reacts to exit poll
Journalist Gordon Darroch has been reporting on the reaction of Socialist leader Emile Roemer, whose party lost one seat. As Darroch puts it: “Roemer doesn’t sound like a man who plans on stepping down in the morning.”
Socialist leader Emile Roemer: 'Did I hope for more? Yes. Am I proud of us? Yes.' SP lost 1 seat.
Roemer: 'These are very unstable times and we can be proud of being a stable party.'
Roemer: 'This isn't over. We don't have a government yet, not by a long way.'
Roemer: 'This isn't over. We don't have a government yet, not by a long way.'
Roemer: 'If there is one thing we need to keep doing for years, it's keep fighting against the tide, because so many people need us.'
Roemer: 'Stay true to what you said before the election: we will not help the right achieve a majority.'
Updated
at 11.03pm GMT
9.35pm GMT
21:35
Prize for gif of the night
And the prize for best reaction to tonight’s exit poll from the Dutch election surely come from leftwing insurgents GreenLeft. It posted this pretty excellent gif of Kermit the Frog when the provisional results came through.
#tk2017 pic.twitter.com/Vo6oVKjBI1
Jon Henley points out that the leftwing environmentalist party was set to be the big winners of the night, quadrupling its number of MPs to 16
Prime minister Mark Rutte and his liberal VVD party appear to have comfortably beaten the populist, anti-Islam Freedom party of Geert Wilders to become the largest in the new Dutch parliament, an early exit poll suggested.
In the first of three key European votes this year in which populist parties are seeking electoral breakthroughs, the VVD lost ten seats but was still on course for 31 seats in the 150-seat parliament, the Ipsos poll for Dutch broadcasters predicted.
Three other parties – the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDA), liberal-progressive D66 and Wilders’ PVV – were forecast to gain between four and seven seats each, all finishing with 19 MPs each.
The leftwing environmentalists of GreenLeft were set to be the big winners of the night, quadrupling their number of MPs to 16, the poll suggested, but the social democratic PvdA, Rutte’s outgoing coalition partners, appeared to have slumped to a historic low of nine seats from 38 in the current parliament.
Updated
at 11.04pm GMT
9.27pm GMT
21:27
Labour leader reacts to exit poll
Labour leader Lodewijk Asscher has called the party’s apparent decimation a “bitter evening” and congratulated Jesse Klaver of GreenLeft. He says the party led the country out of an economic crisis, but it had failed to convince supporters to vote for it again.
Asscher: 'I congratulate the VVD who have become the largest party despite losing seats. Also the other winners: GroenLinks, D66 & CDA.'
Asscher: 'Our party, together with the VVD, has led the country out of the economic crisis in a respectable and fair way'.
Asscher: 'The country is evidently better off than in 2012, but we haven't managed to convince our voters to support us again.'
Updated
at 11.04pm GMT
9.21pm GMT
21:21
Carmen Fishwick
Carmen Fishwick asked Dutch voters why some people in the country, which is renowned for its liberal and tolerant culture, are drawn to Wilders’ party.
People need anything that shows that the government cares
Other political parties don’t offer any answer for the fears or problems that many Dutch feel they are facing. I personally don’t believe these problems are as big as perceived by many others. But then again, I have the luxury of being at a distance.
If other parties would offer, for example, an approach against groups of youths showing disrespectful behaviour, they could lure away a lot of PVV voters. It’s not that hard: more money for 24/7 police surveillance and social work, for example. People need anything that shows that the government cares.
– Lisa, 43, project manager living in Amsterdam
If you are far-right, you only have one real option
Geert Wilders is the only major party willing to quit the EU and ban Islam. If you are far-right, you only have one real option.
Many people feel like they have lost something due to neoliberal policies, as well as the country being more ethnically and culturally diverse. Not everything has been perfect with the assimilation of groups perceived as migrants even though the majority are well-functioning and hard-working.
For many it’s not that its bad at this very moment, it’s the feeling that if it goes on there will be enormous problems. Wilders is a walking middle finger, an outcry of despair.
– Imre Rossel, 19, Gouda
Supporters say that if you’re against Wilders you’re pro-Islam
I know a lot of people who will vote for him. They’re afraid of the Islam and refugees who take their money, supposedly.
People say that if you’re against Wilders you’re pro-Islam or something. But I don’t think he will be the biggest party because many people are going to vote for the Christian Democrats. Their leader said some really nationalistic things and profiles himself really as a right-wing party.
– Rens Verhaegh, 22, Nijmegen
Updated
at 9.25pm GMT
9.18pm GMT
21:18
Diplomatic row with Turkey a boon to Rutte?
IPSOS confirms what I heard at polls: 34% #VVD voters say #Turkey crisis played a role. But 81% chose #Rutte for economy #DutchElection
Polling suggests that the high-profile spat between the Netherlands and Turkey – which saw Turkish ministers prevented from addressing rallies of Dutch Turks ahead of a referendum on granting Turkey’s president sweeping new powers – may have helped incumbent prime minister Mark Rutte.
Of those polled who said they voted VVD 34% said the Turkey crisis had played a role. Perhaps more importantly, 81% chose Rutte for his handling of the economy. (See “What are the issues” in this piece. )
This from Jon Henley and Gordon Darroch’s piece:
In a campaign dominated by Wilders’ core themes of immigration and integration, the row has “allowed Rutte to show himself as a statesman – and to send a Turkish minister packing”, said André Krouwel, a political scientist at Amsterdam’s Free University
“What better publicity could a politician want a few days before an election?” Klouwer said. “Rutte was able to show he could actually expel Turks, and to tell Wilders: ‘You’re just sitting there, tweeting’ … This has won Rutte the election.”
Updated
at 11.05pm GMT