Voters to replace PM Mark Rutte – DW – 11/22/2023

By Alexander Luke

November 22, 2023

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Skip next section Who are the candidates?

November 22, 2023

Who are the candidates?

Four politicians and their parties are competing for the European country’s leadership.

Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, a former refugee who is now campaigning to limit migration, leads Rutte’s People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Winning would make her the first female Dutch prime minister.

Dilan Yesilgoz on her way to Cafe Karavaan during a VVD election campaign — Yesilgoz, a former refugee, is now campaigning to decrease migrationImage: Ramon van Flymen/ANP/picture alliance

Former European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans now leads the combined Labor and Green left ticket. He has put climate change at the center of his campaign, alongside attempting to win back blue-collar workers.

Frans Timmermans delivers his speech during a debate in the hemicycle of the European parliament about renewable energy, energy performance of building and energy efficiency directives, Tuesday, Dec.13, 2022. — Timmermans represents the Labor and Green ticketImage: Jean-Francois Badias/AP/picture alliance

Geert Wilders, known internationally for his anti-Islam stances, meanwhile leads the Party for Freedom (PVV). He is known for calling for a ban on the Quran and having “fewer” Moroccans in the Netherlands.

PVV Chief Geert Wilders attends a criminal trial at Schiphol Court. — Wilders is known for anti-Islamic statements such as calling for a ban on the QuranImage: Remko de Waal/ANP/picture alliance

Center-right Pieter Omtzigt is also part of the race. He represents his own New Social Contract (NSC) party, though polls show he is trailing behind the other three candidates.

An election billboard of New Social Contract party leader Pieter Omtzigt is seen outside the prime minister's office, rear right, near the parliament building in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. — Omtzigt’s support is believed to have waned in recent daysImage: Peter Dejong/AP Photo/picture alliance

The unique Dutch political system makes it very difficult for a single party to achieve a majority, with a coalition almost an inevitability.

https://p.dw.com/p/4ZHws

Skip next section What do we know about the vote?

November 22, 2023

What do we know about the vote?

Dutch voters are heading to the polls on Wednesday for a general election that will bring in a new prime minister, after Mark Rutte’s 13-year-premiership ended after his coalition collapsed last summer.

Polls are due to start opening at 0630 GMT (0730 CET). Voting will continue until 2000 GMT. Preliminary results are expected soon after, though the final results are not expected before Thursday.

The election became necessary when Rutte’s coalition government collapsed in July, after failing to agree on means to curb the influx of asylum seekers. Rutte announced he would quit politics, though he remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.

rmt/wd (AFP, Reuters)

https://p.dw.com/p/4ZHwn

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