News

Dutch Cabinet collapses in dispute over Afghanistan, BBC (2010)

This article gives the reasons of the Dutch government's collapse over disagreements within the governing coalition on extending troop deployments in Afghanistan.

Dutch election June 9, De Jager finance minister, Reuters (2010)

As a result of the fall of the Dutch government, Queen Beatrix ordered an early general election on June 9, 2010. A caretaker government, led by Jan Peter Balkenende will stay in power until the election. The caretaker government will not be able to deal with issues that will be declared controversial.

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Dutch to hold election on June 9, AlertNet (2010)

The Queen Beatrix ordered an Election to be held on June 9, after the fall of the coalition Government and a caretaker Government should remain in power until the Election.

Dutch anti-Islam leader is major winner in polls, Reuters (2010)

Local authority polls, seen as a first test of the public opinion after the fall of Balkenende's government, were won by Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) in the city of Almere. His party came second in the Hague. The results, together with an opinion survey which indicates that he would win the most seats (27 out of 150) in the Dutch parliamentary elections, scheduled for June 9, make Wilders a serious challenger of power in the upcoming elections.

Dutch elections = greater terrorism threat, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

There is a greater chance of political violence in the Netherlands or against Dutch nationals abroad in the run-up to the Dutch parliamentary elections on 9 June. That’s the warning from the country’s National Anti-terrorism Coordinator Erik Akerboom. However, he says there are no concrete indications so far of any preparations for such violence.

No Dutch Muslim party in June elections, Radio Netherlands (2010)

There are no Muslim parties intending to take part in June's parliamentary elections in the Netherlands. One party, the Islam Democrats, says it is concentrating on local politics. The only other party, the Dutch Muslim Party, announced this week that it lacks the funds and the organisation to contest a national campaign.

Dutch Labor Party’s Rise May Hinder Anti-Islam Party, Bloomberg Business Week (2010)

Rising support for the Dutch opposition Labor Party is putting it in a dead heat with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s Christian Democrats and may block an anti-Islam party’s bid for power in June elections.

Voting tools - a new Dutch export, Radio Netherlands (2010)

Two internet voting tools invented and developed in the Netherlands are changing the way people vote. One of these tools, the Electoral Compass (Kieskompas), goes online today for the 9 June Dutch parliamentary election. Its competitor, the Vote Match (Stemwijzer), will go up next week.

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Who will be the next Dutch prime minister?, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article presents the four leaders that are competing for the June 9 elections. The Dutch people will have to choose a new parliament and a new government.

Netherlands: No Clear Frontrunner in Dutch Election, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article discusses the standing of major parties ahead of the Dutch elections set to take place in June.

Netherlands: Geert Wilders, the ultra-right firebrand, campaigns to be Holland's prime minister, the Guardian (2010)

The Freedom Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders is campaigning for the upcoming election. His far-right positions concern many observers: in most of his speeches Wilders suggests anti-Islamic and anti-immigration regulations.

Who will be the next Dutch prime minister? NRC Handelsblad (2010)

On June 9, the Dutch people will be electing a new parliament. This article introduces all the candidates in the run to become prime minister.

Netherlands: Liar, Liar: government agency keeps Dutch parties honest, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

The Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) analyzes the promises that each party makes during the electoral campaign and tests their economic sustainability. On June 9, the Dutch people will vote for the general election, and the conclutions of the CPB will be decisive.

Netherlands:Candidates clash in first TV election debate, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the candidates first TV debate and the opinion poll results following the debate.

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Netherlands:'Purple coalition very unlikely' says Liberal leader Rutte, Dutch News (2010)

This article discusses a statement made during the televised election debate. Mark Rutte, leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) said that a coalition between the two Liberal Parties and Labour was very unlikely.

Netherlands:Neelie Kroes will not be prime minister, Dutch News (2010)

This article discusses the announcement by the VVD that if the Liberals should be the largest party after the June 9 election European commissioner Neelie Kroes will not be Prime Minister.

Money, not Islam, matters most in Dutch elections, Miami Herald (2010)

This article analyses the most discussed issues in the Dutch electoral campaign. What matters most to the voters is the candidates' positions on the economic issues, rather than their ideas on the immigration policy.

Netherlands: Baffled by animal politics, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

Observers from developing countries were invited to the Netherlands to witness and study the campaign for the upcoming elections. Some of these observers were very surprised by certain aspects and peculiarities of the the Dutch parties.

New Flemish Alliance, Socialists lead in Belgium, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article presents the latest polls for the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The New Flemish Alliance turned out to be the first party in the country, the Christian Democratic and Flemish the second.

Netherlands: Immigrant vote accounts for ten seats, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the role of immigrants in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The immigrant community accounts for up to ten seats in the parliament, and could be decisive for the left-wing parties.

Netherlands: Balkenende wants broad coalition, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the Dutch Prime Minister's call for a new and broader coalition for the upcoming June 9 elections. The PM, Jan Peter Balkenende, believes that the Christian Democratic party should form a coalition with the conservative party (VVD), the democrats and the GreenLeft.

Dutch parties manoeuvring into pre-election positions, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the electoral campaign of the main political parties and leaders in the Netherlands. One week before the general elections, candidates try to find the most strategic and effective political statements.

Dutch liberal leader topping polls ahead of next week's election, Irish Times (2010)

This article presents the Dutch political parties' strategies for next week's elections. Polls and surveys are playing a major role in defining the coalitions in the political arena.

Netherlands: Anti-immigration Wilders runs a muted campaign, NRC Handelsblad (2010)

This article discusses Geert Wilders electoral campaign. Mr Wilders is famous for his far-right positions, specifically for his anti-immigration law proposals.

Dutch muslims fear impact of far-right vote, Channel News Asia (2010)

This article discusses the impact of the political campaign on the immigrant communities in the Netherlands. In particular, these communities fear the impact of campaign of the far-right Party for Freedom, whose leader, Geert Wilders, is currently under trial for religious insult and inciting anti-Muslim sentiments.

Twitter debate - Dutch tweets dominate today, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article addresses a new trend in the electoral campaign in the Netherlands. During the last campaign for the upcoming June elections, Dutch politicians relied much more on social networks, leaving messages to their "fans" and even holding debates.

Dutch anti-Islam firebrand may be brought in from cold, The Irish Times (2010)

This article presents the strategies of the Dutch parties during the electoral campaign for the upcoming elections. Special attention is given to the position of the far-right Freedom Party, which is gaining percentage points mainly in the cities. Coalitions are yet to be defined.

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Voters in Netherlands prepare for general elections, debate role in Afghanistan, VOA (2010)

This article reports on the upcoming elections in the Netherlands and the major issues that are being discussed in the electoral campaign. The government recently collapsed because of the lack of agreement over the NATO mission in Afghanistan, and yet this topic is hardly discussed in political debates.

Austerity pledge woos Dutch vote, The Financial Times (2010)

This article presents the most debated issues in the Dutch electoral campaign. Although the government fell because of international affairs (Dutch involvement in Afghanistan), the electoral campaign focuses on domestic issues (mostly the economy).

Far-right anti-Islam party set to double seats in Dutch election, The Telegraph (2010)

This article discusses the latest polls for the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. According to the polls, the far-right Party of Freedom led by Geert Wilders will win 18 seats in the Parliament.

Dutch voters set out to oust Balkenende, turn to Rutte's Liberals, Bloomberg BusinessWeek (2010)

This article reports on the latest polls in the Netherlands. The Liberal opposition party, led by Mark Rutte, is gaining voters' support against the Christian Democrats. The article also presents the issues that are being discussed in the electoral campaign.

World watches as Dutch vote with pencil, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

In the upcoming elections in the Netherlands, people will vote using a paper ballot. The Netherlands is one of the first country that abandoned the electronic voting machines to return to paper ballot.

Netherlands: VVD will not rule with Wilders because of senate problem, Dutch News (2010)

This article reports on the latest developments for the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The VVD Liberal party decided not to form a coalition with the far-right PVV party, led by Geert Wilders.

Rutte could form next Dutch government, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article presents and analyzes the latest polls for the upcoming Dutch elections. According to this polls, the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy will gain most of the seats in the Parliament. For the past weeks, the opposition Labor Party seemed to be the front-runner.

In Dutch elections, Europe is not an issue, NRC Handelsbland (2010)

This article discusses the most debated issues in the Dutch electoral campaign. Most parties rarely mention the European Union as an issue, and almost no one questions its role. This is an unprecedented trend in the country.

Netherlands: The return of the bourgeoisie, Der Spiegel (2010)

This article discusses the latest developments in Dutch politics. Opposite trends dwell in the same national identity and shape the electoral campaign.

At-a-glance: Dutch election contenders, BBC News (2010)

This article briefly presents the candidates for the Prime Minister position in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands: Mark Rutte, Job Cohen, Jan Peter Balkenende, and Geert Wilders

Strong anti-immigration vote expected in Netherlands, Radio Free Europe (2010)

This article discusses the expected results of the June 9 Dutch elections. Based on the latest opinion polls, the far-right Party of Freedom should gain several parliamentary seats.

Dutch voters head to the polls, Aljazeera (2010)

This article reports on the election day in the Netherlands. This is going to be the country's fourth elections since 2002. The electoral campaign focused mostly on economic issues, and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy seems to be the frontrunner.

Center right seeks power in Dutch vote, CNN (2010)

This article comments the latest news on the election day in the Netherlands. According to the latest polls, the center-right Liberal Party seems to be the likely winner: it could be the first Liberal government in the Netherlands since World War I.

Center-right claims Dutch poll win, Aljazeera (2010)

This article discusses the latest results in the June 9 elections in the Netherlands. For the first time, the Liberal Party might win over the other parties and gain the majority of the seats in the Parliament.

Dutch voting at train stations and the airport, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article reports on an initiative of the Dutch Rail to help citizens on election days: 45 train stations set up their own polling stations, as well as the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. This initiative allowed commuters and air travelers to vote more easily.

Station voting a success, says Dutch Railways, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article present the first results of the Dutch Railways initiative on election day: more than 40,000 people were able to vote in polling booths located in 45 different train stations.

Chaotic race to form Dutch coalition after narrow poll, BBC News (2010)

This article reports on the political parties' race to find coalition partners. The first results for the June 9 election present a difficult situation: the Liberal Party gain one seat more than the Labor Party.

The Netherlands shifts to the right, NRC Handelsblad (2010)

This article comments the outcomes of the June 9 elections in the Netherlands. The country will have a Liberal Prime Minister for the first time since World War I. However, the margin separating the biggest party and the second party has never been so slim. Geert Wilders' far-right party went from 9 seats in the Parliament to 24.

Wilders makes shock gains in Dutch elections, The Independent (2010)

This article reports on the aftermath of the June 9 Dutch elections. The far-right Freedom Party, led by the controversial Geert Wilders, doubled its seats in the Parliament. The Liberal Party gained 31 seats, outnumbering the Labor Party by one seat only.

Shape of Dutch coalition uncertain as talks begin, The Irish Times (2010)

This article comments the response of Dutch parties to the results of the June 9 elections. The triumphant Liberal Party will now have to select its allies to form a government coalition.

Dutch won't get "Purple Plus" government, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the coalition talks in the Netherlands. At this stage, the possibility of a "purple" coalition formed by the "red" Labour and the "blue" Liberal looks unlikely. Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, expressed his contentment for the failure of these talks.

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Netherlands: Cabinet negotiator turns to left-centre-right option, DutchNews.nl

On Wednesday, cabinet negotiator Uri Rosenthal will hold meetings with the VVD Party, the Christian Democrat Party, and the Labour Party to continue coalition talks. Earlier attempts to form a "purple" (VVD and Labour) and a right-wing cabinet failed, mostly over the economic policy.

Netherlands: No cabinet majority, PVV biggest winner and biggest loser, DutchNews.nl (2011)

The article discusses the results of the provincial elections held on Wednesday 2 March in the Netherlands. The anti-Islam PPV party which is also in the national government gained more seats in its home province but lost support at the national level.

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