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| Dutch election: Mark Rutte's VVD party takes lead as vote count starts – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.47pm GMT | |
| 23:47 | |
| Before coalition negotiations begin on Thursday morning, incumbent PM – and likely next PM – Mark Rutte has some other business to attend to: teaching. | |
| Question to Rutte: What is first thing you'll do tomorrow? "Teach." (He moonlights as a secondary school teacher in the Hague - true story). | |
| 11.40pm GMT | |
| 23:40 | |
| This visual shows the shift in voting in Amsterdam, where GreenLeft (GL) has surged to become the biggest winner – and Labour (PvdA) the biggest loser: | |
| Result from Amsterdam is in. GreenLeft and D66 largest parties, huge blow for Labour there. Large Muslim population pushes Denk to 7.5% pic.twitter.com/uQj30m8fm8 | |
| 11.30pm GMT | |
| 23:30 | |
| Carmen Fishwick | |
| I’ve been speaking to supporters of GroenLinks (Green-Left), who quadrupled their MPs from four to 16. The party’s charismatic leader is being hailed as “Jessiah”, with similarities to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. | |
| They are realistic, instead of optimistic like the other left-wing parties | |
| I hope their plans to raise the taxes for cars but lower the cost of public transport – as well as make it more accessible – happen. Also, their plans to lower the cost of university and increase financial aid. And the use of alternative energy sources. | |
| Jesse Klaver is trustworthy, young and dynamic. They are rather realistic, instead of optimistic like the other left-wing parties. | |
| – Eva,18, foreign language student in France, with Dutch nationality | |
| I hope they can make sure we keep investing in foreign aid | |
| I hope they make sure the next government invests more into renewable energy, that we keep investing in foreign aid, which is much more effective in dealing with the refugee problem than closing the borders. | |
| I have mixed feelings about Klaver. Yes, he is a new impulse and he has a nice story to tell – young, son of a Moroccan father, worked hard – but it feels like he is using this story a bit too much. He is trying a bit too hard to be the new Dutch Obama or Trudeau. | |
| – Stef, 21, university student, Tilburg | |
| This election may determine whether we become the UK and US, or if we maintain our progressive values | |
| Groenlinks is one of the few parties with fresh ideas. It has a young face and stands for tolerance and European integration, which are the most important things to cling to in the current political climate. | |
| I want the Netherlands to be part of the EU, in which people live together in peace instead of spreading hate. Everyone is allowed to say what they want and believe what they want, up to the point where it insults other members of society. | |
| This election may determine whether we become the UK and US, or if we maintain our progressive values of tolerance and harmony. | |
| – Vlad, 19, student, living in Leiden | |
| 11.19pm GMT | |
| 23:19 | |
| Our reporter Gordon Darroch, in the Hague, has some totting-up of seats and possible coalitions: | |
| Projection based on early results (9%) gives VVD 33 seats and CDA 25. Would have enough for a majority with D66's 18 seats. | |
| Negotiations to form a multi-party coalition to get that parliamentary majority will begin on Thursday and could continue for some time. | |
| 11.02pm GMT | 11.02pm GMT |
| 23:02 | 23:02 |
| This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as it ticks over into Thursday in the Netherlands. | This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as it ticks over into Thursday in the Netherlands. |
| We have results from Amsterdam, where GreenLeft has come out on top: | We have results from Amsterdam, where GreenLeft has come out on top: |
| Netherlands (#Amsterdam), result:GL (G/EFA): 19.3%D66 (ALDE): 18.2VVD (ALDE): 15.2PvdA (S&D): 8.4DENK (*): 7.5PVV (ENF): 7#TK17 | Netherlands (#Amsterdam), result:GL (G/EFA): 19.3%D66 (ALDE): 18.2VVD (ALDE): 15.2PvdA (S&D): 8.4DENK (*): 7.5PVV (ENF): 7#TK17 |
| 10.49pm GMT | 10.49pm GMT |
| 22:49 | 22:49 |
| I’m handing over this liveblog to my colleague Claire Phipps now, who will keep you posted with live results and reaction from the 2017 Dutch election as we get them. | I’m handing over this liveblog to my colleague Claire Phipps now, who will keep you posted with live results and reaction from the 2017 Dutch election as we get them. |
| Thanks for reading and being with us tonight. Or as GreenLeft might put it: | Thanks for reading and being with us tonight. Or as GreenLeft might put it: |
| Iedereen die deze campagne geholpen heeft: DANKJEWEL!Bouw mee aan onze beweging 👉 https://t.co/1pES0ksQpC. pic.twitter.com/erWHyopJZ5 | Iedereen die deze campagne geholpen heeft: DANKJEWEL!Bouw mee aan onze beweging 👉 https://t.co/1pES0ksQpC. pic.twitter.com/erWHyopJZ5 |
| 10.42pm GMT | 10.42pm GMT |
| 22:42 | 22:42 |
| Angela Merkel congratulates Rutte | Angela Merkel congratulates Rutte |
| German chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Mark Rutte on his party’s strong showing in the 2017 election in a telephone conversation. According to Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert, she said: | German chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Mark Rutte on his party’s strong showing in the 2017 election in a telephone conversation. According to Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert, she said: |
| I look forward to working with you as friends, neighbours and Europeans. | I look forward to working with you as friends, neighbours and Europeans. |
| Kanzlerin #Merkel hat @markrutte telefonisch gratuliert. "Ich freue mich auf weiter gute Zusammenarbeit als Freunde, Nachbarn, Europäer." | Kanzlerin #Merkel hat @markrutte telefonisch gratuliert. "Ich freue mich auf weiter gute Zusammenarbeit als Freunde, Nachbarn, Europäer." |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.59pm GMT | at 10.59pm GMT |
| 10.39pm GMT | 10.39pm GMT |
| 22:39 | 22:39 |
| GreenLeft leader hailed as the "Jessiah" | GreenLeft leader hailed as the "Jessiah" |
| Jon Henley | Jon Henley |
| Jon Henley has this piece from the night on the surprise gains for the GreenLeft. | Jon Henley has this piece from the night on the surprise gains for the GreenLeft. |
| The big winner of Wednesday’s Dutch election – and now the largest party of the left for the first time – was GreenLeft, headed by 30-year-old Jesse Klaver, hailed by his enthusiastic supporters as the “Jessiah”. | The big winner of Wednesday’s Dutch election – and now the largest party of the left for the first time – was GreenLeft, headed by 30-year-old Jesse Klaver, hailed by his enthusiastic supporters as the “Jessiah”. |
| According to a generally reliable Ipsos exit poll, the party, formed 25 years ago by a merger of communists, pacifists, evangelicals and self-styled radicals, quadrupled its MPs from four to 16 after a storming campaign by Klaver. | According to a generally reliable Ipsos exit poll, the party, formed 25 years ago by a merger of communists, pacifists, evangelicals and self-styled radicals, quadrupled its MPs from four to 16 after a storming campaign by Klaver. |
| “This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory,” said the GreenLeft chairwoman, Marjolein Meijer. The result showed there was “very fertile ground in the Netherlands for change and a positive and hopeful story,” she said. “For us this is just the start.” | “This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory,” said the GreenLeft chairwoman, Marjolein Meijer. The result showed there was “very fertile ground in the Netherlands for change and a positive and hopeful story,” she said. “For us this is just the start.” |
| The party celebrated its historic advance with a tweet showing a gif of Kermit the Frog dancing for joy. | The party celebrated its historic advance with a tweet showing a gif of Kermit the Frog dancing for joy. |
| 10.36pm GMT | 10.36pm GMT |
| 22:36 | 22:36 |
| Reports: PVV wins in Rotterdam | Reports: PVV wins in Rotterdam |
| Dutch TV station RTV Rijnmond is reporting that PVV is the largest party in Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second biggest city. | Dutch TV station RTV Rijnmond is reporting that PVV is the largest party in Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second biggest city. |
| PVV is grootste in Rotterdam https://t.co/Cw1SCymEjx | PVV is grootste in Rotterdam https://t.co/Cw1SCymEjx |
| Geert Wilders has tweeted in response: | Geert Wilders has tweeted in response: |
| Rotterdam voor de PVV! https://t.co/MTdwQbzCxl | Rotterdam voor de PVV! https://t.co/MTdwQbzCxl |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.00pm GMT | at 11.00pm GMT |
| 10.31pm GMT | 10.31pm GMT |
| 22:31 | 22:31 |
| Mark Rutte: "The Netherlands has said enough to the wrong kind of populism" | Mark Rutte: "The Netherlands has said enough to the wrong kind of populism" |
| #rutte : What a night! I predicted this! We are biggest third time in a row! #dutchelections pic.twitter.com/J8TQmfeCU2 | #rutte : What a night! I predicted this! We are biggest third time in a row! #dutchelections pic.twitter.com/J8TQmfeCU2 |
| Mark Rutte has spoken following the exit polls which put his party in pole position. | Mark Rutte has spoken following the exit polls which put his party in pole position. |
| Here’s a loose translation of his speech: | Here’s a loose translation of his speech: |
| It seems like for the third time in a row the VVD is the Netherlands biggest party. | It seems like for the third time in a row the VVD is the Netherlands biggest party. |
| Our message to the Netherlands – that we will hold our course, and keep this country safe and stable – got though. | Our message to the Netherlands – that we will hold our course, and keep this country safe and stable – got though. |
| I have had lots of European colleagues on the line. This is an evening where the Netherlands, after Brexit and Trump, said: “That’s enough of the wrong sort of populism.” | I have had lots of European colleagues on the line. This is an evening where the Netherlands, after Brexit and Trump, said: “That’s enough of the wrong sort of populism.” |
| He called the high turnout “a festival of democracy”. | He called the high turnout “a festival of democracy”. |
| Rutte: 'It was a festival of democracy with queues outside polling stations. We haven't seen that for a long time.' | Rutte: 'It was a festival of democracy with queues outside polling stations. We haven't seen that for a long time.' |
| We also discovered his favourite song is Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, which is my take-home fact of the night. | We also discovered his favourite song is Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, which is my take-home fact of the night. |
| Mark Rutte makes his entrance to Bruno Mars 'Uptown Funk' - apparently his favourite record. | Mark Rutte makes his entrance to Bruno Mars 'Uptown Funk' - apparently his favourite record. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.01pm GMT | at 11.01pm GMT |
| 10.00pm GMT | 10.00pm GMT |
| 22:00 | 22:00 |
| Exit poll: Green parties increase representation | Exit poll: Green parties increase representation |
| The best news of the Dutch elections: the parties that take climate change seriously double their number of seats. From 15% to 31%. | The best news of the Dutch elections: the parties that take climate change seriously double their number of seats. From 15% to 31%. |
| Author Rutger Bregman has pointed out that parties that are concerned with environmental issues doubled their number of seats from 15% to 31%. | Author Rutger Bregman has pointed out that parties that are concerned with environmental issues doubled their number of seats from 15% to 31%. |
| Animal Rights Party leader Thieme points out that parties with green-focused programmes have doubled their representation. https://t.co/9VDNfifpy2 | Animal Rights Party leader Thieme points out that parties with green-focused programmes have doubled their representation. https://t.co/9VDNfifpy2 |
| 9.49pm GMT | 9.49pm GMT |
| 21:49 | 21:49 |
| Mark Rutte’s VVD party leading first Dutch election exit poll – video report | Mark Rutte’s VVD party leading first Dutch election exit poll – video report |
| 9.42pm GMT | 9.42pm GMT |
| 21:42 | 21:42 |
| GreenLeft hails "great results" | GreenLeft hails "great results" |
| Kathalijne Buitenweg, de nummer 2 van GroenLinks, is blij: "Wij zetten in op een zo progressief mogelijke coalitie." https://t.co/zFzGcybhCj pic.twitter.com/rGVau9exoL | Kathalijne Buitenweg, de nummer 2 van GroenLinks, is blij: "Wij zetten in op een zo progressief mogelijke coalitie." https://t.co/zFzGcybhCj pic.twitter.com/rGVau9exoL |
| Kathalijne Buitenweg, the chair of the GreenLeft delegation in the European parliament, has commented on the party’s gains. | Kathalijne Buitenweg, the chair of the GreenLeft delegation in the European parliament, has commented on the party’s gains. |
| We’ve never had such great results – we quadrupled our seats – and I am incredibly proud of the party and all the people who voted and campaigned. | We’ve never had such great results – we quadrupled our seats – and I am incredibly proud of the party and all the people who voted and campaigned. |
| It’s clear people have had enough of the current climate of polarisation, and want a message of positivity and I am proud of that. | It’s clear people have had enough of the current climate of polarisation, and want a message of positivity and I am proud of that. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.02pm GMT | at 11.02pm GMT |
| 9.40pm GMT | 9.40pm GMT |
| 21:40 | 21:40 |
| Socialist Party reacts to exit poll | Socialist Party reacts to exit poll |
| Journalist Gordon Darroch has been reporting on the reaction of Socialist leader Emile Roemer, whose party lost one seat. As Darroch puts it: “Roemer doesn’t sound like a man who plans on stepping down in the morning.” | Journalist Gordon Darroch has been reporting on the reaction of Socialist leader Emile Roemer, whose party lost one seat. As Darroch puts it: “Roemer doesn’t sound like a man who plans on stepping down in the morning.” |
| Socialist leader Emile Roemer: 'Did I hope for more? Yes. Am I proud of us? Yes.' SP lost 1 seat. | Socialist leader Emile Roemer: 'Did I hope for more? Yes. Am I proud of us? Yes.' SP lost 1 seat. |
| Roemer: 'These are very unstable times and we can be proud of being a stable party.' | Roemer: 'These are very unstable times and we can be proud of being a stable party.' |
| Roemer: 'This isn't over. We don't have a government yet, not by a long way.' | Roemer: 'This isn't over. We don't have a government yet, not by a long way.' |
| Roemer: 'This isn't over. We don't have a government yet, not by a long way.' | Roemer: 'This isn't over. We don't have a government yet, not by a long way.' |
| Roemer: 'If there is one thing we need to keep doing for years, it's keep fighting against the tide, because so many people need us.' | Roemer: 'If there is one thing we need to keep doing for years, it's keep fighting against the tide, because so many people need us.' |
| Roemer: 'Stay true to what you said before the election: we will not help the right achieve a majority.' | Roemer: 'Stay true to what you said before the election: we will not help the right achieve a majority.' |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.03pm GMT | at 11.03pm GMT |
| 9.35pm GMT | 9.35pm GMT |
| 21:35 | 21:35 |
| Prize for gif of the night | Prize for gif of the night |
| And the prize for best reaction to tonight’s exit poll from the Dutch election surely come from leftwing insurgents GreenLeft. It posted this pretty excellent gif of Kermit the Frog when the provisional results came through. | And the prize for best reaction to tonight’s exit poll from the Dutch election surely come from leftwing insurgents GreenLeft. It posted this pretty excellent gif of Kermit the Frog when the provisional results came through. |
| #tk2017 pic.twitter.com/Vo6oVKjBI1 | #tk2017 pic.twitter.com/Vo6oVKjBI1 |
| Jon Henley points out that the leftwing environmentalist party was set to be the big winners of the night, quadrupling its number of MPs to 16 | Jon Henley points out that the leftwing environmentalist party was set to be the big winners of the night, quadrupling its number of MPs to 16 |
| Prime minister Mark Rutte and his liberal VVD party appear to have comfortably beaten the populist, anti-Islam Freedom party of Geert Wilders to become the largest in the new Dutch parliament, an early exit poll suggested. | Prime minister Mark Rutte and his liberal VVD party appear to have comfortably beaten the populist, anti-Islam Freedom party of Geert Wilders to become the largest in the new Dutch parliament, an early exit poll suggested. |
| In the first of three key European votes this year in which populist parties are seeking electoral breakthroughs, the VVD lost ten seats but was still on course for 31 seats in the 150-seat parliament, the Ipsos poll for Dutch broadcasters predicted. | In the first of three key European votes this year in which populist parties are seeking electoral breakthroughs, the VVD lost ten seats but was still on course for 31 seats in the 150-seat parliament, the Ipsos poll for Dutch broadcasters predicted. |
| Three other parties – the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDA), liberal-progressive D66 and Wilders’ PVV – were forecast to gain between four and seven seats each, all finishing with 19 MPs each. | Three other parties – the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDA), liberal-progressive D66 and Wilders’ PVV – were forecast to gain between four and seven seats each, all finishing with 19 MPs each. |
| The leftwing environmentalists of GreenLeft were set to be the big winners of the night, quadrupling their number of MPs to 16, the poll suggested, but the social democratic PvdA, Rutte’s outgoing coalition partners, appeared to have slumped to a historic low of nine seats from 38 in the current parliament. | The leftwing environmentalists of GreenLeft were set to be the big winners of the night, quadrupling their number of MPs to 16, the poll suggested, but the social democratic PvdA, Rutte’s outgoing coalition partners, appeared to have slumped to a historic low of nine seats from 38 in the current parliament. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.04pm GMT | at 11.04pm GMT |
| 9.27pm GMT | 9.27pm GMT |
| 21:27 | 21:27 |
| Labour leader reacts to exit poll | Labour leader reacts to exit poll |
| Labour leader Lodewijk Asscher has called the party’s apparent decimation a “bitter evening” and congratulated Jesse Klaver of GreenLeft. He says the party led the country out of an economic crisis, but it had failed to convince supporters to vote for it again. | Labour leader Lodewijk Asscher has called the party’s apparent decimation a “bitter evening” and congratulated Jesse Klaver of GreenLeft. He says the party led the country out of an economic crisis, but it had failed to convince supporters to vote for it again. |
| Asscher: 'I congratulate the VVD who have become the largest party despite losing seats. Also the other winners: GroenLinks, D66 & CDA.' | Asscher: 'I congratulate the VVD who have become the largest party despite losing seats. Also the other winners: GroenLinks, D66 & CDA.' |
| Asscher: 'Our party, together with the VVD, has led the country out of the economic crisis in a respectable and fair way'. | Asscher: 'Our party, together with the VVD, has led the country out of the economic crisis in a respectable and fair way'. |
| Asscher: 'The country is evidently better off than in 2012, but we haven't managed to convince our voters to support us again.' | Asscher: 'The country is evidently better off than in 2012, but we haven't managed to convince our voters to support us again.' |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.04pm GMT | at 11.04pm GMT |
| 9.21pm GMT | 9.21pm GMT |
| 21:21 | 21:21 |
| Carmen Fishwick | Carmen Fishwick |
| Carmen Fishwick asked Dutch voters why some people in the country, which is renowned for its liberal and tolerant culture, are drawn to Wilders’ party. | Carmen Fishwick asked Dutch voters why some people in the country, which is renowned for its liberal and tolerant culture, are drawn to Wilders’ party. |
| People need anything that shows that the government cares | People need anything that shows that the government cares |
| Other political parties don’t offer any answer for the fears or problems that many Dutch feel they are facing. I personally don’t believe these problems are as big as perceived by many others. But then again, I have the luxury of being at a distance. | Other political parties don’t offer any answer for the fears or problems that many Dutch feel they are facing. I personally don’t believe these problems are as big as perceived by many others. But then again, I have the luxury of being at a distance. |
| If other parties would offer, for example, an approach against groups of youths showing disrespectful behaviour, they could lure away a lot of PVV voters. It’s not that hard: more money for 24/7 police surveillance and social work, for example. People need anything that shows that the government cares. | If other parties would offer, for example, an approach against groups of youths showing disrespectful behaviour, they could lure away a lot of PVV voters. It’s not that hard: more money for 24/7 police surveillance and social work, for example. People need anything that shows that the government cares. |
| – Lisa, 43, project manager living in Amsterdam | – Lisa, 43, project manager living in Amsterdam |
| If you are far-right, you only have one real option | If you are far-right, you only have one real option |
| Geert Wilders is the only major party willing to quit the EU and ban Islam. If you are far-right, you only have one real option. | Geert Wilders is the only major party willing to quit the EU and ban Islam. If you are far-right, you only have one real option. |
| Many people feel like they have lost something due to neoliberal policies, as well as the country being more ethnically and culturally diverse. Not everything has been perfect with the assimilation of groups perceived as migrants even though the majority are well-functioning and hard-working. | Many people feel like they have lost something due to neoliberal policies, as well as the country being more ethnically and culturally diverse. Not everything has been perfect with the assimilation of groups perceived as migrants even though the majority are well-functioning and hard-working. |
| For many it’s not that its bad at this very moment, it’s the feeling that if it goes on there will be enormous problems. Wilders is a walking middle finger, an outcry of despair. | For many it’s not that its bad at this very moment, it’s the feeling that if it goes on there will be enormous problems. Wilders is a walking middle finger, an outcry of despair. |
| – Imre Rossel, 19, Gouda | – Imre Rossel, 19, Gouda |
| Supporters say that if you’re against Wilders you’re pro-Islam | Supporters say that if you’re against Wilders you’re pro-Islam |
| I know a lot of people who will vote for him. They’re afraid of the Islam and refugees who take their money, supposedly. | I know a lot of people who will vote for him. They’re afraid of the Islam and refugees who take their money, supposedly. |
| People say that if you’re against Wilders you’re pro-Islam or something. But I don’t think he will be the biggest party because many people are going to vote for the Christian Democrats. Their leader said some really nationalistic things and profiles himself really as a right-wing party. | People say that if you’re against Wilders you’re pro-Islam or something. But I don’t think he will be the biggest party because many people are going to vote for the Christian Democrats. Their leader said some really nationalistic things and profiles himself really as a right-wing party. |
| – Rens Verhaegh, 22, Nijmegen | – Rens Verhaegh, 22, Nijmegen |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.25pm GMT | at 9.25pm GMT |
| 9.18pm GMT | 9.18pm GMT |
| 21:18 | 21:18 |
| Diplomatic row with Turkey a boon to Rutte? | Diplomatic row with Turkey a boon to Rutte? |
| IPSOS confirms what I heard at polls: 34% #VVD voters say #Turkey crisis played a role. But 81% chose #Rutte for economy #DutchElection | IPSOS confirms what I heard at polls: 34% #VVD voters say #Turkey crisis played a role. But 81% chose #Rutte for economy #DutchElection |
| Polling suggests that the high-profile spat between the Netherlands and Turkey – which saw Turkish ministers prevented from addressing rallies of Dutch Turks ahead of a referendum on granting Turkey’s president sweeping new powers – may have helped incumbent prime minister Mark Rutte. | Polling suggests that the high-profile spat between the Netherlands and Turkey – which saw Turkish ministers prevented from addressing rallies of Dutch Turks ahead of a referendum on granting Turkey’s president sweeping new powers – may have helped incumbent prime minister Mark Rutte. |
| Of those polled who said they voted VVD 34% said the Turkey crisis had played a role. Perhaps more importantly, 81% chose Rutte for his handling of the economy. (See “What are the issues” in this piece. ) | Of those polled who said they voted VVD 34% said the Turkey crisis had played a role. Perhaps more importantly, 81% chose Rutte for his handling of the economy. (See “What are the issues” in this piece. ) |
| This from Jon Henley and Gordon Darroch’s piece: | This from Jon Henley and Gordon Darroch’s piece: |
| In a campaign dominated by Wilders’ core themes of immigration and integration, the row has “allowed Rutte to show himself as a statesman – and to send a Turkish minister packing”, said André Krouwel, a political scientist at Amsterdam’s Free University | In a campaign dominated by Wilders’ core themes of immigration and integration, the row has “allowed Rutte to show himself as a statesman – and to send a Turkish minister packing”, said André Krouwel, a political scientist at Amsterdam’s Free University |
| “What better publicity could a politician want a few days before an election?” Klouwer said. “Rutte was able to show he could actually expel Turks, and to tell Wilders: ‘You’re just sitting there, tweeting’ … This has won Rutte the election.” | “What better publicity could a politician want a few days before an election?” Klouwer said. “Rutte was able to show he could actually expel Turks, and to tell Wilders: ‘You’re just sitting there, tweeting’ … This has won Rutte the election.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.05pm GMT | at 11.05pm GMT |