The Dutch general election has resulted in a tight race between the liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party and the right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV), with both parties receiving 16.7% of the vote, according to the official tally with 98.6% of ballots counted. The voter turnout was 78.4%, with both parties projected to secure 26 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives.

The PVV, led by Geert Wilders, had been expected to perform well due to its anti-immigration stance, which has been a dominant issue in the campaign. Wilders’ 10-point proposal to crack down on immigration, including turning away all asylum seekers and deploying the army to patrol the borders, had sparked controversy. Despite exit polls suggesting a slight lead for D66, Wilders vowed to “fight more than ever” after the results were announced.

D66 leader Rob Jetten, on the other hand, thanked his supporters and expressed his desire to work for all Dutch people. He suggested that forming a coalition with the center-right VVD party, the green-leftist alliance GL-PVDA, and the Christian Democrats would be a “logical option.” The election campaign was marked by debates over immigration, the housing crisis, and relatively high unemployment rates.

The Netherlands has experienced several anti-migrant protests in recent years, including a demonstration in The Hague in September that led to clashes with police. The use of hotels to house asylum seekers has been a particularly contentious issue. With the election results indicating a divided parliament, coalition talks are expected to be complex and potentially prolonged.

As the parties begin to negotiate, the focus will be on finding common ground and forming a stable government. The outcome of these talks will have significant implications for the Netherlands’ policies on immigration, housing, and the economy. The international community will be watching closely as the country navigates this critical period in its political history.