The Netherlands would have a two-party coalition made up of the GroenLinks/PvdA alliance and the liberal democratic party D66, if Dutch News readers could decide.

The left-wing alliance came in first with nearly 35% of the Dutch News audience, while D66 placed second with 17%.

In total, 1,881 people took part in the online poll, which asked readers their thoughts on the general election and the big issues. Of those who responded, 22% are Dutch nationals and will be able to vote on November 22.

The right-wing Liberal VVD is in third place in the Dutch News poll with 14% support, followed by the pro-European party Volt and the farmers party BBB. Some 5% of Dutch News readers would vote for far-right parties and only 4% for Pieter Omtzigt’s new party NSC.

“In 2021, Mark Rutte and the VVD won a narrow victory in our election day poll, picking up 21.6% of the potential international worker vote – and almost doubling their support from the previous DN poll in 2018,” said Dutch News editor Robin Pascoe. “The party’s hard line on immigration may well be having an impact.”

Readers were also asked about the issues which were of most concern to them. Housing topped the list of pressing problems, with 38% saying the shortage of rental housing was a major concern and 35% the shortage and cost of buying a home.

The big election issues

The cost of living came in second place, with 66% saying it was a major issue, followed by climate change and healthcare. Immigration, one of the key issues in the national campaign, was cited by just 21% as a concern, but 23% of respondents said they were worried about increasing hostility towards expats.

Poll respondents are keen to vote, with 52% saying they had voted at previous elections when they could Of those who had voted in the past, 65% had taken part in the water board elections, which do not place restrictions on eligibility.

The issue of not being able to vote, despite paying taxes, was also a hot topic in the survey. In total, 75% said they felt people who had lived in a country for at least five or 10 years should be able to vote for the national government, with 20% saying they were not in favour and the rest undecided.

“My yearly tax contribution is higher than the median salary. I think I should have a say in the direction that this country takes,” said one respondent.

“Not being able to vote limits integration,” said another. “It is discriminatory that someone who has lived and paid taxes for the most part of their lives in the Netherlands is still not able to vote.”