(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Job Cohen is the most popular candidate for prime minister in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. 36 per cent of respondents would like the new leader of the Labour Party (PvdA) to become the country’s next head of government.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Job Cohen is the most popular candidate for prime minister in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. 36 per cent of respondents would like the new leader of the Labour Party (PvdA) to become the country’s next head of government.
Incumbent Jan Peter Balkenende of the Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) is a distant second with 13 per cent, followed by far-right Party for Freedom (PvdV) leader Geert Wilders with 10 per cent. Support is lower for Mark Rutte of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Alexander Pechtold of Democrats 66 (D66), and Femke Halsema of the Green Left (GL).
When asked to select from a list that only includes Cohen, Balkenende, and Wilders, 58 per cent of Dutch respondents pick Cohen, 22 per cent choose the incumbent, and 16 per cent prefer Wilders.
Dutch voters renewed the Second Chamber in November 2006. The CDA—led by current minister president 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.
In June 2009, the PvdV—which has gained notoriety due to the stance on immigration of its leader, Wilders—won four of the 25 Dutch seats in the European Parliament.
In February, the Dutch government collapsed over disagreements related to the country’s military deployment in Afghanistan. Balkenende tendered his resignation to Queen Beatrix. A new general election will take place on Jun. 9
Bos has announced his retirement from politics, and endorsed Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam, as his replacement. Cohen, who led the PvdA in the 2003 election, which was narrowly won by the CDA, tendered his resignation as mayor and accepted leading the party into the June ballot.
After he accepted his nomination, Cohen stated that he would like to see a left-leaning cabinet leading the country, adding, "The more progressive, the better."
Polling Data
Which of the following would you prefer as the next prime minister in the Netherlands?
|
Job Cohen (PvdA)
|
36%
|
|
Jan Peter Balkenende (CDA)
|
13%
|
|
Geert Wilders (PvdV)
|
10%
|
|
Mark Rutte (VVD)
|
9%
|
|
Alexander Pechtold (D66)
|
9%
|
|
Femke Halsema (GL)
|
9%
|
|
Other
|
11%
|
|
Not sure
|
5%
|
If you could only choose between Balkenende, Cohen and Wilders, who would you prefer as the next prime minister in the Netherlands?
|
Job Cohen (PvdA)
|
58%
|
|
Jan Peter Balkenende (CDA)
|
22%
|
|
Geert Wilders (PvdV)
|
16%
|
|
Not sure
|
4%
|
Source: Maurice de Hond
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Dutch adults, conducted on Mar. 19, 2010. No margin of error was provided.
