The initial exit poll results from the 2023 Dutch parliamentary elections indicate a significant lead for the Party for Freedom (PVV) under the leadership of veteran anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders. The PVV, marking 25 years in parliament, is projected to secure 35 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives.
Following closely behind in the exit poll is the Green Left-Labor alliance, led by Frans Timmermans, projected to secure 26 seats, while the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), previously led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and now under Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, is forecasted to secure 23 seats.
Notably, the New Social Contract (NSC) led by Pieter Omtzigt is expected to rank fourth with 20 seats.
Geert Wilders expressed jubilation in a victory speech, stating, "The voter has spoken. The Dutch people want their country back. The Dutch people will be number one again." If these initial projections hold true, the PVV, founded in 2006, is poised to emerge as the largest party in the Netherlands.
The outcome comes as a surprise, diverging from recent polls that suggested a closely contested race between the PVV, VVD, and the Green Left-Labor alliance.
In the preceding 2021 elections, Rutte's VVD secured victory with 34 seats, followed by the Democrats 66 (D66) with 24 seats and the PVV with 17 seats. The current exit poll indicates a notable shift, projecting D66, led by Rob Jetten, to secure 10 seats.
Other parties such as the farmers' movement BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) are expected to secure seven and five seats, respectively.
Official results for the 2023 Dutch parliamentary elections are slated to be announced on December 1, offering a comprehensive view of the nation's political landscape.
(With Agency Inputs)
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