Netherlands Faces Political Turmoil with Third Election in Five Years

The Netherlands is gearing up for another general election on October 29, marking the third such event in under five years. The election was necessitated when Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), brought down the previous coalition government by withdrawing support in June.

The upcoming election will see voters choose representatives for the 150-seat Lower House of parliament. Polls across the nation will open early on October 29, with preliminary results expected overnight. Wilders' PVV currently leads in the polls, although his party's lead has narrowed as election day approaches.

The political landscape remains uncertain, with no party likely to secure a majority outright. Coalition-building is anticipated to be complex and time-consuming, as several prominent parties have already dismissed collaboration with Wilders. Historically, forming a government has taken months in the Netherlands, and this election seems poised to follow that trend.