Dutch Prime Minister sees off far-right challenge
by Ben
The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been re-elected for his third term, beating Geert Wilders’ controversial Freedom Party into second place. Mr Rutte’s VVD, (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) a centre-right party, may still see Wednesday’s election as disappointing for his party despite the win. They lost eight seats in Parliament, even though he still won the election with 33 seats to the 20 won by Mr Wilders’ PVV party.
What does this election mean for the future of the EU?
As the results showed that the VVD was winning, the Euro gained value – the VVD is pro-EU. Mark Rutte was warmly congratulated by other EU leaders such as François Hollande, Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz. Next month, France will elect a new President, then in September the Germans will elect a new Chancellor.
What does this election mean for the future of the EU?
As the results showed that the VVD was winning, the Euro gained value – the VVD is pro-EU. Mark Rutte was warmly congratulated by other EU leaders such as François Hollande, Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz. Next month, France will elect a new President, then in September the Germans will elect a new Chancellor.
Why is the PVV so controversial?
The PVV is the Freedom Party in the Netherlands, they are controversial because they are anti-Islam, and Geert Wilders has promised to close down mosques and ban Korans. He is also anti-EU and anti-immigration. How many terms can someone be elected for in the Netherlands? The Prime Minster has no set term limits, but they must keep the support of the parliament, which sits for five years. Why do the Netherlands have a Prime Minister, not a President? A President is the Head of State, but in the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander is Head of State, meaning that the person who would be President becomes Prime Minster. |