An opinion poll carried out 2.5 months before the local elections shows that the Liberal democratic party D66 will struggle to hold to its lead in Amsterdam.

At the last local elections, D66 overtook the Labour party, which had been the biggest party in Amsterdam since 1946, and formed a three-party coalition with the VVD and the Socialists.

The Maurice de Hond poll shows that D66, which has 14 seats, may see that shrink to nine, following the departure of prominent local members Jan Paternotte and Kajsa Ollongren to The Hague.

By contrast, the left-wing greens GroenLinks, who are calling for car-free zones and action to reduce tourism, are poised to increase their share of the vote to nine seats, up from six at present.

The poll suggests Labour’s support will further collapse while the VVD will remain on six seats.

The poll also concludes that newcomers Denk and the Forum voor Democratie will each win three seats on the council while BIJ1, founded by tv presenter Sylvana Simons will win two.

All EU citizens can vote in the local elections, as can other nationals who have officially lived in the city for more than five years.