About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 [1] (March 20, 2017)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthmbcbm0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CRS INSIGHT The Dutch Parliamentary Elections: Outcome and Implications March 20, 2017 (IN10672) Related Author Kristin Archick Kristin Archick, Specialist in European Affairs (karshick rs loc.gov, 7-2668) The March 15, 2017, parliamentary elections in the Netherlands garnered considerable attention as the first in a series of European contests this year in which populist, antiestablishment parties have been poised to do well, with possibly significant implications for the future of the European Union (EU). For many months, opinion polls projected an electoral surge for the far-right, anti-immigrant, anti-EU Freedom Party (PVV), led by Geert Wilders. Many in tE wer rlievdwhen the PVV fell short and the center-right, pro-EU People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), led by incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte, retained its position as the largest party in the Dutch parliament. Several commentators suggest that the Dutch outcome may be a sign that populism in Europe and euroskeptism about the EU are starting to lose momentum, but others remain cautious about drawing such conclusions yet. Election Results The Dutch political scene has become increasingly fragmented; 28 political parties competed in the 221ltions for the 150-seat Second Chamber, the lower-but more powerful-house of the Dutch parliament. Concerns about immiraion naiona ini and the ro f I ain th herln (approximately 5.5% of the country's 17 million people are Muslim) dominated the campaigning. The VVD came in first, with 33 seats, but lost roughly one-fifth of its previous total. The PVV finished second, with 20 seats, making modest gains on its 2012 election results but not performing as well as expected. The center-left Labor Party (PvdA)-the VVD's former coalition partner-suffered huge losses, largely because of anger among its base over compromises on various issues (including austerity measures and health care reforms) while in government. Analysts contend that the high voter turnout (over 80%) and Prime Minister Rutte's tough response to a diplomatic spat with Turkey in the final days of the campaign benefitted the VVD. Some note that even before the conflict with Turkey, Rutte and the VVD were kin frher righ in an attempt to stem the PVV's advances. Unease among Dutch voters following the 2016 referendum in the United Kingdom in favor of leaving the EU (or Brexit) and the election of U.S. President Donald Trump-both fueled, in part, by populist, antiestablishment sentiments-may have produced acnd thoughts about supporting Wilders and the PVV. Fears of hacking and interference by foreign entities (including Russia) prompted Dutch authorities to forego Omuters and count all ballots by hand.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most