May 23, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) continues to lead all political rivals in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. A prospective tally of seats suggests that the CDA would secure 33 seats in the next legislative election, unchanged since late April.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) continues to lead all political rivals in the Netherlands, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. A prospective tally of seats suggests that the CDA would secure 33 seats in the next legislative election, unchanged since late April.

The Proud of the Netherlands (ToN) movement is second with 26 mandates—up three since last month—followed by the Labour Party (PvdA) with 19 seats, the Socialist Party (SP) with 16 mandates, Democrats 66 (D66) with 13 seats, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) with 12 mandates, the Party for Freedom (PvdV) with 10 seats, and the Green Left (GL) also with 10 mandates Support is lower for the Christian Union (CU), the Party for the Animals (PvdD), and the Reformed Political Party (SGP).

Dutch voters renewed the Second Chamber in November 2006. The governing 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.

Earlier this month, SP member Harry van Bommel called for Balkenende to issue an apology to Suriname for the Netherlands’ past involvement in slavery there, just days before the minister president was due to travel to the Caribbean nation.

The CDA and the PvdA rejected the calls for an official admission of guilt. PvdA member Chantal Gill’ard said an apology would not necessarily improve bilateral relations, adding, "It would be more valuable for us to learn from the past and see that the abolition of slavery liberated both the Netherlands and Suriname."

Polling Data

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

	May 11	Apr. 27	Apr. 6
Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA)	33	33	31
Proud of the Netherlands (ToN)	26	23	22
Labour Party (PvdA)	19	20	22
Socialist Party (SP)	16	17	18
Democrats 66 (D66)	13	12	10
People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)	12	13	13
Party for Freedom (PvdV)	10	12	15
Green Left (GL)	10	10	9
Christian Union (CU)	7	6	6
Party for the Animals (PvdD)	2	2	2
Reformed Political Party (SGP)	2	2	2

Source: Maurice de Hond
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Dutch adults, conducted on May 11, 2008. No margin of error was provided.