Dutch far-right party set for major setback in European elections

Geert Wilders’ Dutch Freedom Party was on course to come fourth in the European elections in the Netherlands yesterday, in what could be a major setback for the far-right party.

Exit polls published by Dutch state media last night, showed the PVV party, which had been leading in polls, garnered just 12 per cent of the vote, with the centre-right Christian Democrat Party and the centrist Democrats 66 vying for first place.

Britain and the Netherlands went to the polls yesterday in the first day of the European elections. While all countries are prohibited from publishing official results until the final polling booth closes on Sunday evening, an exit poll published by Dutch state media showed Mr Wilders’ party in fourth position, which could mean the party is in danger of losing at least one of the four seats it already holds in the European Parliament.

The exit poll undermines widespread predictions of a swing towards eurosceptic parties in this weekend’s elections. The Dutch Freedom Party is one of the most high-profile right-wing parties in Europe. It came second in the 2009 European elections, winning four out of the Netherlands’ 25 seats, with 17 per cent of the vote.

The performance of the PVV may also have implications for the constitution of political groups in the next Parliament.

Mr Wilders committed last year to an alliance with Marine Le Pen’s National Front party in France in the European Parliament. At least 25 MEPs from seven countries are required to form a political group in the European Parliament.

Turnout in the Netherlands, was virtually unchanged from 2009 at 37 per cent, according to the poll conducted by Ipsos for Dutch TV.

Ireland and the Czech Republic go to the polls today, with the Czech Republic voting for a second day tomorrow, joined by Latvia, Malta and Slovakia. The remaining 21 countries vote on Sunday, with official results announced by the European Parliament from 10pm Irish time, when the final polling booths in Italy close.

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