21st Century Wire says…
The European Union and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte breathed a sigh of relief today after it was revealed The Netherlands’ ruling ‘People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy’ has won the majority of seats in parliamentary elections held yesterday, according to the exit polls and unofficial counts.
Amidst the backdrop of an escalating spat with Turkey, one in which seemed to have strengthed Rutte’s position considering his grounding and assertive diplomatic skills, Geert Wilders’ ‘Party for Freedom’ (PVV) tied second with two other parties. The PVV movement led by Wilders secured 19 seats in the house of representatives whilst Rutte’s VVD party secured 31 out of 150 seats.
More on this report from RT…
The Netherlands’ ruling People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy has won the majority of seats in parliamentary elections held on Wednesday, according to exit polls and unofficial counts. Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom is tied second with two other parties.
The People Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) has secured 31 out of 150 seats in the Dutch parliamentary elections, according to the first exit polls released by national broadcaster NOS. According to the unofficial partial vote count conducted by the national ANP news agency, VVD is poised to win 32 seats.
“This poll shows that people trust us,” Tamara van Ark, VVD campaign manager said, according to NOS.
The VVD’s main rival, the right-wing PVV movement led by Wilders secured 19 seats in the house of representatives.
Wilders conceded defeat to Rutte on Wednesday night and said he would like to be invited to coalition negotiations, Reuters reports. He also promised to “offer firm parliamentary opposition to government.”
“We have had a huge influence on politics,” Wilders said, calling Wednesday’s preliminary results “a victory but not the victory we hoped for.”
“We are also winners in this election with extra seats,” the 53-year-old added.
The final results will be formally announced by the Dutch Electoral Council on Tuesday March 21, almost a week after election day.
Informal talks are expected to begin on Thursday, but the formal process will be announced only after the new Parliament convenes on March 23…
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