Netherlands Votes in Tight General Elections

Polling stations across the Netherlands opened on Wednesday morning, allowing 13.5 million eligible voters to cast their ballots in the general elections. The election is expected to be a close race among the leading parties, with the Party for Freedom (PVV) and the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance running neck and neck, followed closely by the Christian Democratic Appeal and the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. Migration has dominated the campaign, with voters ranking it as their top concern, and all major parties promising tougher asylum rules amid a housing crisis linked to migration.

Key Takeaways:

• 13.5 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in the general elections.
• Polling stations opened from 7:30 am to 9 pm (0600-2000GMT), with some stations opening at midnight in several cities.
• A total of 1,166 candidates from 27 political parties are competing for 150 seats in the Dutch general elections.
• No party is expected to win the 76 seats required to form a government on its own.
• Migration has dominated the campaign, with voters ranking it as their top concern.
• PVV leader Geert Wilders is leading the far-right support, advocating for tougher asylum rules.
• All major parties have promised to tighten asylum policies amid a housing crisis linked to migration.
• The party that wins the most seats will be the first to invite other parties to negotiate the formation of a new government.

Statistics:

• 13.5 million eligible voters (expected to cast ballots)
• 1,166 candidates from 27 political parties (competing for 150 seats)
• 150 seats available in the Dutch general elections
• 76 seats required to form a government on its own (a party must win more than 50% to have a majority)
• 2000GMT (close of in-person voting)

Sources:

• Local media
• Opinion polls
• Dutch election commission