Dutch voters face tight competition in selecting new leaders

Dutch voters are heading to the polls today to elect their new government. Four parties have emerged as the frontrunners in what is expected to be a close race. The centre-right leader Dilan Yesilgöz is tipped to win and potentially become the first female Dutch prime minister. However, she faces tough competition from anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders and a left-alliance led by former top-ranking EU commissioner Frans Timmermans. With 26 parties to choose from, up to 17 of them could win seats in the 150-seat parliament. The outcome of the election is closely watched by European countries, as the winning party is projected to secure less than 20% of the national vote and fewer than 30 seats - a first in Dutch politics. Trust in the government has been undermined by a recent political scandal, and a new centrist party, led by Pieter Omtzigt, may play a key role in forming the next coalition government. Yesilgöz, who prioritizes lowering migration levels and addressing the high cost of living, has not ruled out working with Wilders' Freedom Party. However, she has stated that her conservative-liberal VVD party would not form a government with Wilders. Meanwhile, Wilders has offered to temporarily suspend his anti-Islam policies and understands that Dutch voters are not yet ready to leave the EU. Despite having a wide range of options, many voters remain undecided. Concerns about rising prices, high taxes, migration, and housing shortages are among the main issues that voters are considering. Timmermans, the leader of the left-wing alliance, believes his party has a strong chance of leading the next government. Net migration into the Netherlands has more than doubled in the past year, spurring support for parties like Wilders' and Omtzigt's that advocate for stricter immigration policies. Far-right rival Thierry Baudet, who has fallen behind in the polls, has recently come under attack on the campaign trail.