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Dutch far-right 'gain' in EU poll Dutch far right in poll triumph
(about 4 hours later)
A right-wing Dutch lawmaker's party has made big gains in European Parliament elections, exit polls suggest. The party of the right-wing Dutch MP, Geert Wilders, has come second in the country's elections for the European Parliament, partial results indicate.
They say Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) will win four of the 25 Dutch seats in the parliament, just one behind the Christian Democrats. Mr Wilders, who is facing prosecution over anti-Islamic statements, said his Freedom Party (PVV) would get four of the 25 Dutch seats in the parliament.
With more than 92% of votes counted, the ruling Christian Democrats are top.
Voters are now going to the polls in the Czech Republic and the Republic of Ireland. The UK voted on Thursday.
Dutch and British voters were the first to go to the polls to elect the EU's most powerful legislative body.Dutch and British voters were the first to go to the polls to elect the EU's most powerful legislative body.
Voters are now going to the polls in the Czech Republic. It is also election day in the Republic of Ireland.
Some 375 million people in 27 member states are eligible to vote. Most will cast their ballots over the weekend.Some 375 million people in 27 member states are eligible to vote. Most will cast their ballots over the weekend.
We dare to talk about sensitive subjects like Islamisation and we use plain and simple words that the voter can understand Geert Wilders UK votes in MEP and council polls Euro election gets celebrity veneerWe dare to talk about sensitive subjects like Islamisation and we use plain and simple words that the voter can understand Geert Wilders UK votes in MEP and council polls Euro election gets celebrity veneer
Exit polls showed late on Thursday that the PVV was on course to win just over 15% of the votes in the Netherlands. Partial results released on Friday showed Mr Wilders' PVV was on course to win 16.9% of the votes in the Netherlands. The PVV currently has no seats in the European Parliament.
Mr Wilders was refused entry to Britain in February on the grounds that he had sought to incite hatred with a film he made last year that equated Islam with violence and likened the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf. Mr Wilders was refused entry to the UK in February on the grounds that he had sought to incite hatred with a film he made last year that equated Islam with violence and likened the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf.
EU officials concerned
Voters are deciding who gets the 736 seats up for grabs under various forms of proportional representation.Voters are deciding who gets the 736 seats up for grabs under various forms of proportional representation.
Polls closed in the Netherlands at 1900 GMT and in Britain at 2100 GMT on Thursday. The European Commission has asked for an explanation from Dutch officials, who broke EU rules by releasing partial results early. Results are not supposed to be announced until polls close across Europe on Sunday night.
Observers will be watching to see if turnout is higher than in 2004, when only 45% exercised their right to vote.
In the UK, elections were also held in some areas for local councils.In the UK, elections were also held in some areas for local councils.
EU PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS Thursday: UK and NetherlandsFriday: Ireland, Czech RepublicSaturday: Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Italy and Czech RepublicSunday: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and SwedenResults from 2000 GMT Sunday Q&A: European elections 2009 Euro election country-by-country Euro election country results
The results of both UK polls are keenly awaited to see how they might affect the national political scene, following weeks of turmoil over MPs' expenses claims.The results of both UK polls are keenly awaited to see how they might affect the national political scene, following weeks of turmoil over MPs' expenses claims.
The vote is seen as a crucial test for the governing Labour Party, with a general election due within a year. Three senior ministers resigned earlier this week.
Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia vote on Saturday, while the Czech Republic and Italy vote over Friday and Saturday, and Saturday and Sunday respectively. People in the remaining 18 member states will vote on Sunday.Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia vote on Saturday, while the Czech Republic and Italy vote over Friday and Saturday, and Saturday and Sunday respectively. People in the remaining 18 member states will vote on Sunday.
'For the Netherlands' In Ireland, the vote is seen as a key test ahead of a second referendum on the EU's controversial Lisbon Treaty, expected in October.
EU PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS Thursday: UK and NetherlandsFriday: Ireland, Czech RepublicSaturday: Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Italy and Czech RepublicSunday: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and SwedenResults from 2000 GMT Sunday class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7819889.stm">Q&A: European elections 2009 class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/8059690.stm">Euro election country-by-country class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/elections/euro/09/flash/html/eu.stm">Euro election country results The Irish government, stung by the voters' rejection of Lisbon last year, is opposed by Declan Ganley's Libertas. The millionaire entrepreneur, who helped fuel anti-Lisbon sentiment in Ireland, hopes to win one of the 12 Irish seats.
If confirmed, the Freedom Party's result is second only to Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's Christian Democrats (CDA), which dropped almost 5% to just under 20% of the vote. Coalition ally hit
The polls showed that the CDA's governing coalition partner, the labour party PvdA, was the biggest loser - down nearly 10% to about 14% of the Dutch vote. The anti-immigration Dutch Freedom Party MEPs will be headed by Barry Madlener and Mr Wilders will remain an MP in The Hague, Radio Netherlands reports.
"We dare to talk about sensitive subjects like Islamisation and we use plain and simple words that the voter can understand," Mr Wilders has said. The partial results in the Netherlands also showed gains for two staunchly pro-EU parties - the social-liberal D66 and Green Left. Each is on course to send three MEPs to Brussels.
The controversial politician is facing prosecution in the Netherlands for making anti-Islamic statements, following a court ruling the previous month. The Christian Democrats' governing coalition partner, the Labour Party (PvdA), was the biggest loser - its share of the Dutch vote fell nearly 10% percentage points to about 14%.
Despite the charges many Dutch voters seem to like what Mr Wilders is saying, the BBC's Geraldine Coughlan in The Hague reports. "We dare to talk about sensitive subjects like Islamisation and we use plain and simple words that the voter can understand," Mr Wilders has said in the past.
His party was campaigning under the motto "For the Netherlands" and was extremely anti-EU, our correspondent says. Mr Wilders has said he will not take up his seat if elected as an MEP. The controversial politician is facing prosecution in the Netherlands for making anti-Islamic statements, following a court ruling in January.
Polls show that Euroscepticism among Dutch voters has increased since the last European elections, with EU enlargement and integration the most unpopular issues, our correspondent adds. Polls show that Euroscepticism among Dutch voters has increased since the last European elections, with EU enlargement and integration the most unpopular issues.
Across Europe, far-right parties are hoping to win at least 15 seats. However, the centre-right European People's Party bloc is expected to remain the main force, followed by the European Socialists.Across Europe, far-right parties are hoping to win at least 15 seats. However, the centre-right European People's Party bloc is expected to remain the main force, followed by the European Socialists.
Are you in the Netherlands? What is your reaction to the exit polls indicating gains for the far-right in the European Parliamentary elections? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the Netherlands? What is your reaction to the exit polls indicating gains for the far-right in the European Parliamentary elections? Send us your comments using the form below.
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