Election probably on 12 September

It is highly likely that the Dutch will go to the polls on 12 September. It will be the fifth parliamentary election in just 10 years time.

During today's debate on the fall of his cabinet, outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte told parliament that 12 September appeared to be the best date for the election. On Monday, a narrow majority were in favour of holding the election on 27 June. However, after several smaller parties voiced vehement opposition to that date, Labour leader Diederik Samsom withdrew his support for an election before the summer recess.

The smaller parties say a June election would make it very difficult for them to organise their candidates and programmes. The deadline for registering candidates has already passed, which means that many of the smaller parties would have their candidates listed as numbers on the ballot sheet.

The electoral council is also opposed to a June election; it says voters abroad will not have enough time to register and municipalities in the Caribbean will not have enough time to organise the poll.

The cabinet is expected to make a formal decision on the election date on Friday.