HKG3

Rather strong words from the Dutch PM -

Dutch PM Rutte: 'If you don't like it here, then leave' - BBC News

Did he say these words for the forthcoming election in March?

calman014

We don't like HIM..he is the one who will be leaving!! ;-)

It's a poor attempt to seem intelligent and in-touch after all these years...

HKG3

I don't understand - I always think that the Dutch people are more welcoming to foreigners and open to change than Brits.

I think Rutte of the VVD will stay as Dutch PM after the election in March. Polls suggest that support for the PVV and VVD are now very close. Even if PVV wins the most seats in the March election, no one will go into a partnership with the PVV to form the next government. On the other hand, other political parties will need to form a government with the VVD in it.

calman014

Looking quite shaky now after the Justice Minister was sacked!

HKG3

Unless the Dutch Labour Party overtakes the VVD in the polls, Rutte will still be Dutch PM after the election in March.

Cynic

Current seat projection is 33/24 in favour of PVV at the moment. PvdA are on 10 (almost last place).

I agree with your other comments about next PM; unless PVV get an outright majority, which I don't think is likely.

HKG3

I am very surprise to see the Dutch Labour Party only on 10%. I thought the British Labour Party is in trouble, but the prospects for the Dutch Labour Party appear to be even worse.

Red_Wine_Fairy

PvdA are lower in the popularity stakes than the British Labour party: perhaps lying down with Rutte in this goverment has hurt them in the same way it did the Lib Dems in the UK. I also think Rutte will get in again; what is the alternative? I'm sure Wilder's popularity must be real, but among who? Not in the Randstad that I can see.

I put my faith in the majority of the Dutch voting public who are silent about their choices in the run-up and not truly represented in any polls (which often rely on as few as 2000 people, and some of whom are handpicked by the various polling 'authorities' - M vd Hond, anyone?). They will vote with their wallet as they always have done. The status quo, moderate cost of living rises, no wild swings between left and right - that's exactly how they like it. Their relative prosperity in the European ranks allows them this privilege. Their common sense prevails, with a watch-and-wait attitude to see if the Brexit UK or the Trump US will sink or swim after such radicalism.

calman014

Rutte has the charisma of a used teacloth..and Wilders has no policies..be interesting to see how this all turns out..

Cynic

In today's Tubantia; looks like the CDA are in danger of losing the Syrian Christian vote in Holland.

HKG3

Another news article about the forthcoming Dutch election by the BBC -

The Netherlands' populist moment? - BBC News

Just one question to those Brits living in the Nederlands. According to this news article, the ruling party's (VVD) spokeperson for Europe is someone call Anne Mulder. However, the link in the article shows that this Anne Mulder is a man! Is this Anne Mulder a man or a woman?

BritInParis

It's a man. The pronunciation is different in Dutch.

A. (Anne) Mulder - Parlement & Politiek

Cynic

Anne is a Fries male name (from Friesland).

HKG3

The BBC latest on the Dutch election next month -

Why liberal Dutch are turning to the right - BBC News

Cynic

For those who are entitled to vote in the forthcoming elections, but are not yet sure who to vote for, there is an on-line web-page that may help (StemWijzer).