The next Dutch government is likely to be a centre-right coalition with a broadly similar stance towards the EU as before and a slightly looser fiscal policy. But the balance of power in the Netherlands has still shifted in the favour of eurosceptics, which calls into question the country’s commitment to further EU integration and measures to keep indebted countries inside the bloc. The eurosceptic Party for Freedom’s (PVV) performance was underwhelming. Granted, it gained ground and increased its seats in the 150-seat Tweede Kamer from 15 to 20. But Mark Rutte’s VVD won on the day. While it lost eight seats, it still has the most with 33. Other notable “winners” were the centreright/right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), the centrist D66 and the centre-left/left Green-Left (GL), which all gained a lot of seats. The clear loser was the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA).
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