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Dutch election: PM Rutte celebrates 'rejection of populism' Dutch election: Wilders defeat celebrated by PM Rutte
(about 4 hours later)
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says the Netherlands has rejected "the wrong kind of populism" as he celebrated victory in parliamentary elections. Dutch people rejected "the wrong kind of populism", Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said, as he celebrated victory in Wednesday's election.
With nearly all votes counted his governing centre-right VVD party easily beat the anti-immigration, anti-EU Freedom party of Geert Wilders. "The Netherlands said 'Whoa!'" he declared after his centre-right VVD party's lead positioned him for a third successive term as prime minister.
The race was seen as a test of support for nationalist parties that have been gaining ground across Europe. With nearly all votes counted, his party easily beat the anti-immigration Freedom party of Geert Wilders.
Fellow eurozone countries France and Germany also face elections this year.
The Dutch race was seen as a test of support for nationalist parties that have been gaining ground across Europe.
Mr Wilders insisted "the patriotic spring" would still happen.Mr Wilders insisted "the patriotic spring" would still happen.
With more than 90% of votes counted, the VVD had won 33 out of 150 seats, a loss of eight seats from the previous parliament. The euro gained as the results pointed to a clear victory for the prime minister's party.
Mr Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) was in second place on 20 seats, a gain of five, with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the liberal Democrats 66 (D66) close behind with 19 seats each. How big is Rutte's win?
The Green-Left party also did well winning 14 seats, an increase of 10. With 95% of votes counted, the prime minister's party had won 33 out of 150 seats, a loss of eight seats from the previous parliament.
The Labour Party (PvdA), the junior party in the governing coalition, suffered a historic defeat with only nine seats, a loss of 29. The Freedom party was in second place on 20 seats, a gain of five, with the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the liberal D66 party close behind with 19 seats each.
The Green-Left party also did well, winning 14 seats, an increase of 10.
The Labour Party (PvdA), the junior party in the governing coalition, suffered a historic defeat by wining only nine seats, a loss of 29.
Turnout was more than 80%, the highest for 30 years, which analysts say may have benefited pro-EU and liberal parties.Turnout was more than 80%, the highest for 30 years, which analysts say may have benefited pro-EU and liberal parties.
In the run-up to the election, some opinion polls had forecast the PVV winning the biggest number of seats, sending alarm bells ringing across European capitals. "We want to stick to the course we have - safe and stable and prosperous," Mr Rutte said.
Mr Wilders had pledged to take the Netherlands out of the EU, close all mosques and ban the Koran. What does this mean for the EU?
"The Netherlands said 'Whoa!' to the wrong kind of populism," said Mr Rutte, now poised for a third successive term as prime minister. France goes to the polls next month to elect a new president, with the far right National Front forecast to increase its vote dramatically.
"We want to stick to the course we have - safe and stable and prosperous." In Germany, the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) may win seats in parliament for the first time in September's general election.
Mr Rutte's victory was warmly greeted by other European leaders. Mr Rutte's victory was warmly greeted by other European leaders and politicians:
French President Francois Hollande said Mr Rutte had won a "clear victory against extremism" while German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, tweeted: "The Netherlands, oh the Netherlands you are a champion! Congratulations on this great result." Where does Wilders stand now?
Many had been watching the vote in the Netherlands closely, as an indication for how populist parties may fare in other elections in EU countries. Weeks before the election, opinion polls forecast the PVV winning the biggest number of seats but Mr Wilders' lead vanished as the vote drew near.
More on this story: He had pledged to take the Netherlands out of the EU, close all mosques and ban the Koran.
France goes to the polls next month to elect a new president, while Germany is due to hold a general election in September. He warned that Mr Rutte had "not seen the last" of him.
Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament until earlier this year, said he was "relieved" Mr Wilders' party had lost. "It's not the 30 seats I hoped for but we have gained seats," he added. "This patriotic spring will happen."
"We must continue to fight for an open and free Europe!" he added on Twitter (in German). How long before a new government is formed?
However, Mr Wilders warned that Mr Rutte "has not seen the last of me". As parliamentary seats are allocated in exact proportion to a party's vote share, the VVD will need to go into coalition with three other parties.
"It's not the 30 seats I hoped for but we have gained seats," Mr Wilders said, adding: "This patriotic spring will happen." The VVD had ruled out a coalition with Mr Wilders' PVV, but not with the Christian Democrats and D66, which are both pro-EU. It would still be several seats short of forming a government and would need further support from a fourth party.
As parliamentary seats are allocated in exact proportion to a party's vote share, the VVD party will need to go into coalition with other parties.
The VVD had ruled out a coalition with the Freedom Party but not with the other two runners-up, the CDA and D66, which are both pro-EU.
Coalition talks could take weeks, or even months.Coalition talks could take weeks, or even months.
Latest results:Latest results: