Anti-Immigration, Local Parties Surge In Dutch Municipal Elections

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

AMSTERDAM (Worthy News) – Anti-immigration and local parties made gains in municipal elections in the Netherlands, where concerns over rising migration from mainly Islamic countries, the financial impact of climate policies, and increased defense spending have dominated national and local debates.

Local lists together received about 35.5 percent of the vote, up from 32.8 percent previously, meaning around 2.6 million voters backed a local party. In numerous councils, including The Hague, local parties are now the largest or second-largest political force.

Local parties performed particularly well in Wednesday’s vote, especially in areas where the location of new refugee centres was a key issue. “Anti-refugee feeling gets a face,” said the Amsterdam-based left-leaning daily de Volkskrant (“The People’s Newspaper”) in a commentary.

The anti-Islam and fiercely pro-Israel Party for Freedom (PVV), led by veteran politician Geert Wilders, became the largest party in Pekela in the northern province of Groningen, and also in Terneuzen in the southwestern province of Zeeland, where concerns about a refugee centre were a key campaign theme.

The radical-right Forum for Democracy (FvD), which has campaigned strongly against immigration and climate policies, also made gains, winning seats in most of the 104 councils where it fielded candidates.

LOCAL PARTIES SURGE ACROSS COUNTRY

One of the most notable local victories was in The Hague, where Richard de Mos’s local party Hart voor Den Haag (“Heart for The Hague”) increased its representation from nine to 16 seats in the 45-seat council. The result makes it likely the party will take part in the next governing coalition after being excluded previously.

Among national parties, results were broadly in line with the previous election. Democrats 66 (D66) won about 9 percent of the vote and gained seats overall, while the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) recorded relatively stable performances.

With most results counted by early Thursday morning, turnout stood at just over 54 percent, slightly higher than at the previous municipal elections four years earlier.

Despite losing ground nationwide, GroenLinks–PvdA (GreenLeft–Labour alliance) leader Jesse Klaver said he was “very proud” that the alliance had held its position in urban areas following a disappointing general election.

Yet commentators said it was clear that voters had punished the party for what they described as a disconnect between its pro-immigration and pro-green policies and everyday Dutch people facing rising living costs and tax burdens.

COALITION PRESSURE AND URBAN STRONGHOLDS

Despite setbacks, GroenLinks–PvdA remained the largest political force in several major cities, including Amsterdam and the port city of Rotterdam, both of which have sizeable immigrant populations.

The elections were also seen as an early test for Prime Minister Rob Jetten, whose minority government was sworn in on February 23 amid mounting political tensions.

On the eve of the elections, a local politician was injured in an incident highlighting tensions surrounding the campaign. Kevin Kreuger, a city councillor and leader of the JA21 faction in Amsterdam, was assaulted Tuesday evening at Osdorpplein in the Nieuw-West district after attending a televised election debate.

According to Dutch media reports, Kreuger intervened in an incident involving a group of youths allegedly harassing a girl near a fast-food restaurant. After he began filming, his phone was reportedly taken, and he was assaulted.

Witnesses and local outreach workers said he was left injured on the street before receiving assistance. Kreuger later filed a police report, and authorities confirmed an investigation is underway, with camera footage reportedly secured.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the attack as “horrific and criminal,” wishing the politician strength as he undergoes medical checks. The incident has added to concerns about rising tensions surrounding political debates and public safety in the Netherlands.

Latest Worthy News