The five Dutch parties which recently agreed drastic budget cuts would, if elections were held now, no longer have a majority in parliament, a weekly opinion poll suggest.

Together, the five parties would have 74 out of parliament’s 150 seats, two less than last week. One seat was lost by the pro-business VVD party, the other by the Christian Union. A little over a week ago, the governing VVD and the Christian Democrats agreed an austerity package with the Christian Union, D66 and Green Left opposition parties to meet a European Union deadline. 

Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party, which brought down the government over its refusal to agree an earlier austerity package, has gained two seats since last week. Over 70 percent of Freedom Party voters say they will do so again in the general elections due to be held in September.

Labour would have 20 seats now, one more than last week. The Socialist Party loses a seat but, along with the VVD, remains the country’s biggest party, with 30 seats.

As a result of the ongoing shifts in political sentiment, there is no clear majority for any coalition at present.

(cl/tt)

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