The latest opinion poll by pollster Maurice de Hond shows opposition Labour party (PvdA) losing one seat compared to last week’s poll; eight less than the 30 seats it currently holds in parliament.

According to the poll results, Labour leader Job Cohen is feeling the Socialist Party breathing down his neck. The SP is on the offensive, with 20 seats in this week’s poll, one more than last week and five more than the number of Socialist MPs in parliament.

The coalition of the conservative VVD, the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the Freedom Party (PVV) - which provides parliamentary support to the VVD-CDA minority cabinet – has lost its one-seat majority. According to the poll, the three parties would win just 71 out of a total of 150 seats if elections were held today. In parliament, the three parties have a very slim majority of just one seat.

The Freedom Party has gained two seats in the poll, bringing it to a total of 23, one seat less than the party now has in parliament. The VVD lost two seats, dropping to 34 in the polls, it currently has 31 seats in parliament. The CDA held on to its 14 seats in the opinion poll, seven less than its actual number of MPs.

The Maurice de Hond poll is held via the internet among at least 2,500 people.

(gsh/nc)

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