Election will define new prime minister and seats for Parliament; PVV, right-wing, leads voting intentions
This Wednesday (October 29, 2025), the Netherlands is holding early legislative elections, which define the composition of the Parliament, made up of 150 seats. Most polls open at 7:30 am local time (3:30 am Brasília time) and all close at 9 pm (5 pm Brasília time).
The election comes after Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing party PVV (Party for Freedom), due to lack of support for his anti-immigration project, in June this year.
Parties need to obtain around 70,000 votes to win a seat in parliament. The PVV leads voting intentions in electoral polls, but the majority of parties refuse to form a coalition with Wilders. Opinion polls show that housing, health and immigration are among the most important issues for the Dutch electorate.
The PVV leader advocates saving funds by closing borders, which includes sending Ukrainian refugees back to the country, and ending development financing to cover energy and healthcare. Wilders disputes with the CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal), under the leadership of Henri Bontenbal. The party promises government stability and affordable housing.
Wilders’ departure caused the rupture of the government, formed by a coalition between the PVV, with a majority of representatives, and 3 other parties — VVD (Popular Party for Freedom and Democracy, center-right), NSC (New Social Contract, center) and BBB (Peasant-Citizen Movement, right).
The call for new elections required the resignation of the Prime Minister, Dick Schoof (independent). A new prime minister will be chosen after the formation of the new Parliament. Schoof remained in the government on an interim basis until the election was held.
