The liberal-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is practically at the same level. Its main candidate, Dilan Yesilgöz (46), wants to be the successor to his party colleague, Mark Rutte, and the first woman to head the Dutch government. The red-green electoral alliance of the Social Democrats and Greens with the main candidate and former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans (62) also has an opportunity.
It is considered unlikely that a party will receive more than 20 percent of the vote. According to polls, a coalition of at least three parties will be needed to obtain a majority. Polling stations will be open until 9pm and the results of the electoral polls will be released immediately afterwards.
Parliamentary elections became necessary after the collapse of the center-right coalition in the summer, after just 18 months in power. The reason was a dispute over migration policy. Prime Minister Rutte then announced his departure from Dutch politics. Rutte has been prime minister for around 13 years and wants to remain in office until a new government takes office. This could not be the case for several months. The last Rutte government lasted just 271 days.