VVD is again by far the largest party

With 33 seats, the VVD is again the largest party in the Netherlands. This is despite the fact that the party lost 8 seats compared to the previous elections in 2012. The VVD can now take the lead in exploring a formation. 

VVD party leader Mark Rutte has several options for forming a coalition. One of those options is a coalition with CDA, D66 and GroenLinks. Another option is a coalition with CDA, D66, ChristenUnie and the SGP. 

Geert Wilders' PVV is currently the second largest party in the Netherlands with 20 seats. CDA and D66 both won 19 seats. These parties won 6 and 7 seats respectively compared to the elections.

Green Left dominates
GroenLinks and the SP are the largest of the left-wing parties. Both have 14 seats, with GroenLinks growing by 10 seats compared to 4 years ago.

The PvdA, led by former Secretary of State for Agriculture Martijn van Dam, lost no fewer than 29 seats and is now in the House with 'only' 9 seats.

Marianne Thieme's Party of the Animals (PvdD) managed to more than double their number of seats from 2 to 5 seats. Just like in 2012, the ChristenUnie (CU) won 5 seats.

CDA gets key role
The CDA is in a comfortable position in the negotiations for a new cabinet. The party has a key role in the formation, because the VVD does not want to rule with the PVV. For that reason, the VVD can hardly ignore the CDA. 

Exploration of the formation
The reconnaissance of the formation will start on Thursday 16 March. It is obvious that VVD, D66 and CDA will form the body of the new cabinet. However, for a majority a fourth party is necessary. That fourth party could be the ChristenUnie, but considering the number of seats, GroenLinks seems more logical. 

The official results of the elections are expected to be known on Tuesday 21 March. If everything goes according to expectations, the new MPs will start on Thursday 23 March. 

Election poll by boerenbusiness
With 's election poll boerenbusiness, with more than 6000 votes, the CDA emerged as the largest party. The CDA obtained 40 percent of the vote. The party is followed by the SGP and the VVD, with 23 and 15 percent of the vote respectively.

Click here for the election results per municipality.

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.