Netherlands vote pro-Europe

After the victory of the centre-right VVD party led by Mark Rutte in the parliamentary election on 12 September he is now faced with the problem of forming a new government.

The VVD won 41 seats (up from 31) and the centre-left PvdA Labour party won 39 seats (up from 30) out of the 150 in parliament. The big losers were the Greens who went from ten to three seats and the anti-Islamic / anti-immigration / anti-Europe PVV which won 15 seats compared with its previous 24.

The first move will probably be for the VVD and the PvdA to attempt to form a coalition. Both have the same views on the importance of the European Union. However they have different policies on the economy, with the VVD calling for greater austerity and the PvdA for greater growth. They will probably try to involve at least one of the smaller parties in the centre.

The last government led by Rutte fell in April 2012 when the PVV withdrew its support from the government over austerity measures. It could be several months before the next government is formed.

SHARE
Wanted in Europe
Wanted in Europe
Wanted in Europe, part of the Wanted Worldwide network, is a website in English for expatriates in Europe established in 2006. We cover Europe's news stories that may be of interest to English speaking residents along with tourists as well. Our publication also offers classifieds, photos, information on events, museums, churches, galleries, exhibits, fashion, food, and local travel.
80735
Previous article Buy local Jersey products
Next article Pedestrian banks along the Seine