The Netherlands will hold snap elections on October 29, authorities announced on Friday, June 6th, after right-wing nationalist leader Geert Wilders pulled out of the ruling coalition, bringing down the government and sparking political chaos.
Polls suggest Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) is running neck-and-neck with the Left/Green group of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans.
The liberal VVD party, a member of the current government, stands just behind in the polls, suggesting the election will be closely fought.
The election was prompted by the dramatic withdrawal of Wilders and the PVV from a shaky ruling coalition in a row over immigration policy.
Wilders withdrew his party from the government after accusing it of not moving fast enough in implementing the “strictest-ever” immigration policy.
