Election in the Netherlands: What’s different this time

More than 13 million people in the neighboring country are called to vote for a new parliament today. After 13 years in office, Prime Minister Rutte is no longer running. Other things are different this time too.

Things are going differently in this election: For example, the incumbent Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is not running again. 13 years in office – that was too long, Rutte himself admits. His successor at the head of the right-wing liberal VVD, Dilan Yesilgöz, sees it the same way. She complains that her party has lost its profile in recent years.

Her predecessor Rutte has lost a lot of popularity due to several scandals: the careless treatment of citizens in Groningen who had to endure earthquakes because of gas production. And because of the childcare allowance affair, which the state wrongly demanded back from thousands of families.

Nevertheless, the VVD is doing well in surveys. Apparently, Yesilgöz was able to convince voters during the election campaign that she wants renewal, even though her party has been in power for more than a decade. The 46-year-old stands for a strict course in migration policy.

Right-wing populists gain weight

The right-wing populist Geert Wilders no longer wants to allow asylum seekers into the country. His Freedom Party, PVV, has made significant gains in polls in recent days. So strong that without them a governing alliance may not be possible after the election.

The 60-year-old wants to ban the Koran and have mosques closed. During the election campaign, however, Wilders refrained from making inflammatory slogans and held back – he wants to help govern.

The new VVD leader Yesilgöz, unlike her predecessor Rutte, has not ruled out a coalition with Wilders. Pieter Omtzigt, on the other hand, does.

Renew government and administration

Omtzigt’s New Social Contract party, NSC, was founded just three months ago. The 49-year-old economist was formerly a member of the Christian Democratic CDA and, like the VVD, wants to restrict immigration.

He also announced that he would reduce taxes for low earners and increase the minimum wage and property tax. Known as a worker of integrity and tenacity, Omtzigt promises to fundamentally renew governance and administrative practices.

This is apparently well received. Political scientists name more housing and affordable rents, health policy, migration and the fight against poverty and climate change as the most important issues in the election campaign.

More justice as a declared goal

Frans Timmermans was the deputy head of the EU Commission responsible for climate issues until he returned to Dutch domestic politics in the summer – as the leading candidate in a red-green electoral alliance that did not yet exist.

The man with the white beard is the best-known face in Germany in the Dutch election campaign. His declared goal: a fairer policy that puts the market at the service of people – and not the other way around.

The Farmer Citizens Movement, BBB, wants to appeal to protest voters outside of the big cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague who feel left behind. The anger of many farmers over government environmental regulations has made the BBB big.

The young party became the strongest force in the provincial elections in March. She has recently lost in the polls – possibly in favor of Omtzigt’s NSC.

Majority right of center

Nothing has been decided yet: According to election researchers, the majority of Dutch voters only make their decision shortly before going to the voting booth.

In addition, particularly dissatisfied voters are very changeable: in the 2019 provincial elections they supported the EU-sceptic and right-wing populist “Forum for Democracy”, in the spring they supported the BBB, and in the polls for the parliamentary elections it was initially the new NSC party. Overall, according to experts, the center-right camp has a clear majority. The question is to what extent the relevant parties want to govern together after the election.

What doesn’t change

What doesn’t change in this election: There is only a low threshold, which often makes forming a government complicated and lengthy. The fourth government under Mark Rutte was only sworn in 299 days after the election.

And this time, too, the election will be held on a Wednesday – a consequence of the tradition of not disturbing the Sunday rest of devout Protestants.

In any case, it is important for Germany who governs its neighboring country to the west. The Netherlands is the fifth largest economy in the EU and Germany’s most important trading partner within the community. When it comes to EU fiscal policy, Berlin and The Hague are traditionally close. Both governments are committed to debt reduction and economical budget management.