An exit poll in the Netherlands suggests Geert Wilders and his far-right Freedom Party have made big gains in the European Parliament elections. The Dutch vote is seen as an early litmus test for the far right.
An exit poll published by national broadcaster NOS has suggested that the center left alliance and Geert Wilders’ far-right party were neck-and-neck in the vote for the European Parliament.
The exit poll of around 20,000 Dutch voters predicted the Green/Labour alliance of former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans was set to gain eight seats in Thursday’s election.
Wilders and his far-right Freedom Party were projected to win seven, according to NOS.
The exit poll has an error margin of roughly one seat.
Thirty-one of the European Parliament’s 720 seats are up for grabs in the Netherlands. It was the first EU country to vote in the EU elections, which are taking place over four days.
The final results for the Netherlands will be announced on Sunday evening once the bloc’s other member states have held their votes.
