Dutch election: Exit polls: Prime Minister Mark Rutte wins most seats in the parliamentary election

Exit polls have shown that Mr Rutte's VVD party will win 31 of 150 seats in today's parliamentary election, compared to 19 seats for 3 other parties, including that of Mr Wilders. Weeks or months of coalition talks are expected to follow.

The exit poll was conducted at 43 of the 9,300 polling stations across the country. It had a margin of error of two percentage points.

VVD 31 (Prrime Minister)
PVV 19 (Wilders)
CDA 19
D66 19
GL 16
SP 14
PvdA 9

Thanks, LL. So, if that's any indication of the final result, we have three parties coming second....

bb1 wrote:Thanks, LL. So, if that's any indication of the final result, we have three parties coming second....

That is the final result with a turnout of 80%, highest since 1977 when 88% voted. This means that Rutte will now ask one or more of the runners up, but not the PVV, to join a coalition.  Even if Wilders had won he would have never taken power as most of the other parties had stated they were not prepared to join his coalition so in the end whoever came second would have been asked to form a coalition government.    A final thought, did the spat with Erdogan help Rutte?   Just wondering.   LL

I know absolutely nothing about what drives Dutch politics, LL, but it looks like telling Erdogan where to get off did help Rutte. I wasn't sure if it would, as the problem has been building up for a while.

I suspect the last thing Wilders actually wanted was power; IMO, he's another agitator, not a leader, and they are menaces if they get into office.

Old Holborn✘‏ @Holbornlolz 9m9 minutes ago
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Old Holborn✘ Retweeted Tim Farron
Rutte lost 25% of his seats

Wilders gained 33% more seats

I must take a closer look at the figures; yet again, all may not be as it is being presented.

As you know, I am not politically savvy, but what I do know is that the Dutch use a system different from the UK, ie not first past the post.   Official results will be announced on 21 March. LL

Yes, I've been trying to follow it, and it does seem more complicated than first appears, LL. It might be an idea for all pundits to wait until March 21st, instead of claiming that whichever is their party of choice has 'won'.