(12/23/09) -

Dutch Far-Right PvdV Tied with Ruling CDA

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The controversial, far-right Party for Freedom (PvdV) is tied for first place with the governing Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. A prospective tally of seats shows that both parties would get 26 mandates in the legislature in the next election.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The controversial, far-right Party for Freedom (PvdV) is tied for first place with the governing Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. A prospective tally of seats shows that both parties would get 26 mandates in the legislature in the next election.

The Democrats 66 (D66) and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) would each get 21 seats, followed by the Labour Party (PvdA) and the Socialist Party (SP) with 15 each, and the Green Left (GL) with 14 mandates. Support is lower for the Christian Union (CU), the Party for the Animals (PvdD), the Reformed Political Party (SGP), and Proud of the Netherlands (ToN).

Dutch voters renewed the Second Chamber in November 2006. The CDA—led by current minister president Jan Peter Balkenende—secured 41 out of 150 seats. In February 2007, a coalition encompassing the CDA, the PvdA of Wouter Bos, and the CU of Andre Rouvouet was assembled.

The PvdV has recently gained notoriety due to Geert Wilders, its controversial leader. Last year, Wilders released a movie titled Fitna depicting Islam as a violent religion, and comparing the Koran to Adolf Hitler’s "Mein Kampf". In January 2009, an Amsterdam court ordered prosecutors to call Wilders to trial for inciting hatred. Wilders has called the decision an "attack on public debate."

Last June, the PvdV won four of the 25 Dutch seats in the European Parliament.

Last month, a government proposal to gradually rise the pension age to 66 in 2020 and to 67 five years later was met with staunch criticism and street protests. Balkenende defended the plan, saying that the Netherlands currently has four workers for every pensioner, and adding, "Soon this will be two to one. What does this mean for the younger generations?"

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next parliamentary election?
(Results presented in seats)

Source: Maurice de Hond
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Dutch adults, conducted on Dec. 11, 2009. No margin of error was provided.