2012 Dutch general election explained

Election Name:	2012 Dutch general election
Country:	Netherlands
Previous Election:	2010
Next Election:	2017
Seats For Election:	All 150 seats in the House of Representatives
Majority Seats:	76
Turnout:	74.6% (0.8 pp)
Leader1:	Mark Rutte
Party1:	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Last Election1:	31
Seats1:	41
Popular Vote1:	2,504,948
Percentage1:	26.58
Leader2:	Diederik Samsom
Party2:	Labour Party (Netherlands)
Last Election2:	30
Seats2:	38
Popular Vote2:	2,340,750
Percentage2:	24.84
Leader3:	Geert Wilders
Party3:	Party for Freedom
Last Election3:	24
Seats3:	15
Popular Vote3:	950,263
Percentage3:	10.08
Leader4:	Emile Roemer
Party4:	Socialist Party (Netherlands)
Last Election4:	15
Seats4:	15
Popular Vote4:	909,853
Percentage4:	9.65
Swing4:	0.1%
Leader5:	Sybrand van Haersma Buma
Party5:	Christian Democratic Appeal
Last Election5:	21
Seats5:	13
Popular Vote5:	801,620
Percentage5:	8.51
Leader6:	Alexander Pechtold
Party6:	Democrats 66
Last Election6:	10
Seats6:	12
Popular Vote6:	757,091
Percentage6:	8.03
Leader7:	Arie Slob
Party7:	ChristianUnion
Last Election7:	5
Seats7:	5
Popular Vote7:	288,785
Percentage7:	3.13
Leader8:	Jolande Sap
Party8:	GreenLeft
Last Election8:	10
Seats8:	4
Popular Vote8:	213,757
Percentage8:	2.33
Leader9:	Kees van der Staaij
Party9:	Reformed Political Party
Last Election9:	2
Seats9:	3
Popular Vote9:	195,355
Percentage9:	2.09
Leader10:	Marianne Thieme
Party10:	Party for the Animals
Last Election10:	2
Seats10:	2
Popular Vote10:	182,162
Percentage10:	1.93
Leader11:	Henk Krol
Party11:	50PLUS
Last Election11:	new
Seats11:	2
Popular Vote11:	177,631
Percentage11:	1.88
Results Sec:	Results
Map:	Tweede Kamerverkiezingen 2012.svg
Cabinet
Before Election:	First Rutte cabinet
Before Party:	VVD–CDA
After Election:	Second Rutte cabinet
After Party:	VVD–PvdA

Early general elections were held in the Netherlands on 12 September 2012^[1] after Prime Minister Mark Rutte handed in his government's resignation to Queen Beatrix on 23 April. The 150 seats of the House of Representatives were contested using party-list proportional representation. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) received a plurality of the votes, followed by the Labour Party (PvdA).

Prior to the election, polls had predicted an increase in support for the Socialist Party, primarily at the expense of the PvdA,^[2] but the PvdA regained support during the campaign, which was attributed to the leadership of Diederik Samsom^[3] and in the election the Socialist Party failed to improve its performance. The Party for Freedom (PVV) and Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) both lost seats.

After 49 days of negotiations, a new VVD-PvdA centrist government was formed on 5 November 2012, comprising Mark Rutte as prime minister along with 7 VVD ministers and 6 PvdA ministers.^[4]

It was the first Netherlands-wide election in which the Caribbean Netherlands participated.^[5]

Background

Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government fell after the Party for Freedom (PVV), which had supported the government from outside, refused to sanction the austerity measures the government sought in April 2012.^[6] This called for a new early election to be held in September 2012. It is the fourth early election in a row since the Second Kok cabinet fell very near the end of its mandate, which allowed that government to keep the election date to be held as scheduled by the term in May 2002. Early elections were subsequently held in January 2003, November 2006, June 2010 and September 2012. And during that time a total of five governments ended prematurely, as it was possible for the Third Balkenende cabinet (July–November 2006) to be formed without a new election.

Participating parties

In addition to the established parties of Dutch politics, the pensioners' party 50PLUS, founded in 2009, won its first seats in the election.

The Pirate Party claimed that it may enter parliament for the first time with 2 or 3 seats.^[7] However, the party achieved only 0.3% of the national vote and no seats.

Hero Brinkman, elected on the Party for Freedom's list, split from the party in March 2012 and founded the Independent Citizens' Party in April 2012 to run in the election on his own.^[8] In June 2012, the party merged with Proud of the Netherlands (a party founded by Rita Verdonk, who had resigned from the position of party leader^[9]) to form the Democratic Political Turning Point, with Brinkman as leader. The party achieved 0.1% of the national vote and no seats.

List	Party	Abbreviation	Leader	Details^[10] ^[11]
	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie)	VVD
	Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid)	PvdA		Apparentment with GL and SP
	Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid)	PVV
	Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl)	CDA
	Socialist Party (Socialistische Partij)	SP		Apparentment with GL and PvdA
	Democrats 66 (Democraten 66)	D66
	GreenLeft (GroenLinks)	GL		Apparentment with PvdA and SP
	ChristianUnion (ChristenUnie)	CU		Apparentment with SGP
	Reformed Political Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij)	SGP		Apparentment with CU
	Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren)	PvdD
	Pirate Party (Piratenpartij)	PPNL
	Party for Human and Spirit (Partij voor Mens en Spirit)	MenS		Participate in all constituencies, except for the BES islands
	Netherlands Local (Nederland Lokaal)	NL
	Libertarian Party (Libertarische Partij)	LP
	Democratic Political Turning Point (Democratisch Politiek Keerpunt)	DPK		Merger of Trots with OBP
		50+
	Liberal Democratic Party (Liberaal Democratische Partij)	LibDem		Participate in all constituencies, except for the BES islands
	Anti-Europe Party (Anti Europa Partij)	AeuP
	Sovereign Independent Pioneers Netherlands (Soeverein Onafhankelijke Pioniers Nederland)	SOPN		Participate in all constituencies, except for the BES islands
	Party of the Future (Partij van de Toekomst)	PvdT		Participate in all constituencies, except for the BES islands
	Political Party NXD (Politieke Partij NXD)			Participate only in constituency 9

Polls

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pos:(143,48) text:April pos:(286,48) text:May pos:(415,48) text:June pos:(547,48) text:July pos:(680,48) text:August pos:(833,48) text:September

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points: (70,30)(70,40) color:black layer:back width:0.5 # april points: (220,30)(220,40) color:black layer:back width:0.5 # mei points: (370,30)(370,40) color:black layer:back width:0.5 # juni points: (520,30)(520,40) color:black layer:back width:0.5 # juli points: (670,30)(670,40) color:black layer:back width:0.5 # augustus points: (820,30)(820,40) color:black layer:back width:0.5 # september

layer:front # VVD

points: (41,225)(95,240) color:vvd width:2 points: (95,240)(160,250) color:vvd width:2 points: (160,250)(190,230) color:vvd width:2 points: (190,230)(220,240) color:vvd width:2 points: (220,240)(250,227) color:vvd width:2 points: (250,227)(280,213) color:vvd width:2 points: (280,213)(310,209) color:vvd width:2 points: (310,209)(340,217) color:vvd width:2 points: (340,217)(400,234) color:vvd width:2 points: (400,234)(475,217) color:vvd width:2 points: (475,217)(500,238) color:vvd width:2 points: (500,238)(530,244) color:vvd width:2 points: (530,244)(600,238) color:vvd width:2 points: (600,238)(670,217) color:vvd width:2 points: (670,217)(700,238) color:vvd width:2 points: (700,238)(730,234) color:vvd width:2 points: (730,234)(760,234) color:vvd width:2 points: (760,234)(780,238) color:vvd width:2 points: (780,238)(800,234) color:vvd width:2 points: (800,234)(820,238) color:vvd width:2

layer:front # PvdA points: (41,185)(95,185) color:pvda width:2 points: (95,185)(160,190) color:pvda width:2 points: (160,190)(190,180) color:pvda width:2 points: (190,180)(220,170) color:pvda width:2 points: (220,170)(250,165) color:pvda width:2 points: (250,165)(280,175) color:pvda width:2 points: (280,175)(310,180) color:pvda width:2 points: (310,180)(340,176) color:pvda width:2 points: (340,176)(400,173) color:pvda width:2 points: (400,173)(475,167) color:pvda width:2 points: (475,167)(500,176) color:pvda width:2 points: (500,176)(530,167) color:pvda width:2 points: (530,167)(600,167) color:pvda width:2 points: (600,167)(670,165) color:pvda width:2 points: (670,165)(700,167) color:pvda width:2 points: (700,167)(730,162) color:pvda width:2 points: (730,162)(760,180) color:pvda width:2 points: (760,180)(780,207) color:pvda width:2 points: (780,207)(800,223) color:pvda width:2 points: (800,223)(820,238) color:pvda width:2

layer:front # PVV points: (41,155)(95,150) color:pvv width:2 points: (95,150)(160,140) color:pvv width:2 points: (160,140)(190,140) color:pvv width:2 points: (190,140)(220,135) color:pvv width:2 points: (220,135)(250,145) color:pvv width:2 points: (250,145)(280,155) color:pvv width:2 points: (280,155)(310,150) color:pvv width:2 points: (310,150)(340,158) color:pvv width:2 points: (340,158)(400,168) color:pvv width:2 points: (400,168)(475,150) color:pvv width:2 points: (475,150)(500,140) color:pvv width:2 points: (500,140)(530,145) color:pvv width:2 points: (530,145)(600,140) color:pvv width:2 points: (600,140)(670,145) color:pvv width:2 points: (670,145)(700,140) color:pvv width:2 points: (700,140)(730,145) color:pvv width:2 points: (730,145)(760,150) color:pvv width:2 points: (760,150)(780,140) color:pvv width:2 points: (780,140)(800,150) color:pvv width:2 points: (800,150)(820,145) color:pvv width:2

layer:front # CDA points: (41,115)(95,110) color:cda width:2 points: (95,110)(160,105) color:cda width:2 points: (160,105)(190,110) color:cda width:2 points: (190,110)(220,115) color:cda width:2 points: (220,115)(250,125) color:cda width:2 points: (250,125)(280,125) color:cda width:2 points: (280,125)(310,125) color:cda width:2 points: (310,125)(340,117) color:cda width:2 points: (340,117)(400,105) color:cda width:2 points: (400,105)(475,117) color:cda width:2 points: (475,117)(500,117) color:cda width:2 points: (500,117)(530,125) color:cda width:2 points: (530,125)(600,120) color:cda width:2 points: (600,120)(670,120) color:cda width:2 points: (670,120)(700,117) color:cda width:2 points: (700,117)(730,117) color:cda width:2 points: (730,117)(760,114) color:cda width:2 points: (760,114)(780,117) color:cda width:2 points: (780,117)(800,110) color:cda width:2 points: (800,110)(820,114) color:cda width:2

layer:front # D66 points: (41,100)(95,110) color:d66 width:2 points: (95,110)(160,110) color:d66 width:2 points: (160,110)(190,125) color:d66 width:2 points: (190,125)(220,120) color:d66 width:2 points: (220,120)(250,120) color:d66 width:2 points: (250,120)(280,120) color:d66 width:2 points: (280,120)(310,125) color:d66 width:2 points: (310,125)(340,121) color:d66 width:2 points: (340,121)(400,121) color:d66 width:2 points: (400,121)(475,117) color:d66 width:2 points: (475,117)(500,112) color:d66 width:2 points: (500,112)(530,112) color:d66 width:2 points: (530,112)(600,117) color:d66 width:2 points: (600,117)(670,120) color:d66 width:2 points: (670,120)(700,117) color:d66 width:2 points: (700,117)(730,117) color:d66 width:2 points: (730,117)(760,117) color:d66 width:2 points: (760,117)(780,117) color:d66 width:2 points: (780,117)(800,114) color:d66 width:2 points: (800,114)(820,108) color:d66 width:2

layer:front # SP points: (41,185)(95,180) color:sp width:2 points: (95,180)(160,185) color:sp width:2 points: (160,185)(190,185) color:sp width:2 points: (190,185)(220,195) color:sp width:2 points: (220,195)(250,195) color:sp width:2 points: (250,195)(280,190) color:sp width:2 points: (280,190)(310,190) color:sp width:2 points: (310,190)(340,190) color:sp width:2 points: (340,190)(400,185) color:sp width:2 points: (400,185)(475,195) color:sp width:2 points: (475,195)(500,200) color:sp width:2 points: (500,200)(530,185) color:sp width:2 points: (530,185)(600,200) color:sp width:2 points: (600,200)(670,210) color:sp width:2 points: (670,210)(700,203) color:sp width:2 points: (700,203)(730,207) color:sp width:2 points: (730,207)(760,190) color:sp width:2 points: (760,190)(780,170) color:sp width:2 points: (780,170)(800,160) color:sp width:2 points: (800,160)(820,155) color:sp width:2

layer:front # GL points: (41,75)(95,65) color:gl width:2 points: (95,65)(160,60) color:gl width:2 points: (160,60)(190,60) color:gl width:2 points: (190,60)(220,65) color:gl width:2 points: (220,65)(250,60) color:gl width:2 points: (250,60)(280,60) color:gl width:2 points: (280,60)(310,60) color:gl width:2 points: (310,60)(340,58) color:gl width:2 points: (340,58)(400,58) color:gl width:2 points: (400,58)(475,58) color:gl width:2 points: (475,58)(500,52) color:gl width:2 points: (500,52)(530,58) color:gl width:2 points: (530,58)(600,52) color:gl width:2 points: (600,52)(670,52) color:gl width:2 points: (670,52)(700,52) color:gl width:2 points: (700,52)(730,58) color:gl width:2 points: (730,58)(760,52) color:gl width:2 points: (760,52)(780,45) color:gl width:2

layer:front # CU points: (41,60)(95,60) color:cu width:2 points: (95,60)(160,60) color:cu width:2 points: (160,60)(190,65) color:cu width:2 points: (190,65)(220,60) color:cu width:2 points: (220,60)(250,60) color:cu width:2 points: (250,60)(280,60) color:cu width:2 points: (280,60)(310,60) color:cu width:2 points: (310,60)(340,60) color:cu width:2 points: (340,60)(400,62) color:cu width:2 points: (400,62)(475,65) color:cu width:2 points: (475,65)(500,63) color:cu width:2 points: (500,63)(530,60) color:cu width:2 points: (530,60)(600,63) color:cu width:2 points: (600,63)(670,63) color:cu width:2 points: (670,63)(700,60) color:cu width:2 points: (700,60)(730,63) color:cu width:2 points: (730,63)(760,60) color:cu width:2 points: (760,60)(780,52) color:cu width:2 points: (780,52)(800,63) color:cu width:2 points: (800,63)(820,63) color:cu width:2

layer:front # SGP points: (41,40)(95,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (95,40)(160,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (160,40)(190,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (190,40)(220,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (220,40)(250,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (250,40)(280,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (280,40)(310,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (310,40)(340,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (340,40)(400,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (400,40)(475,45) color:sgp width:2 points: (475,45)(500,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (500,40)(530,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (530,40)(600,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (600,40)(670,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (670,40)(700,45) color:sgp width:2 points: (700,45)(730,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (730,40)(760,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (760,40)(780,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (780,40)(800,40) color:sgp width:2 points: (800,40)(820,40) color:sgp width:2

layer:front # PvdD points: (41,42)(95,42) color:pvdd width:2 points: (95,42)(160,50) color:pvdd width:2 points: (160,50)(190,42) color:pvdd width:2 points: (190,42)(220,50) color:pvdd width:2 points: (220,50)(250,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (250,45)(280,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (280,45)(310,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (310,45)(340,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (340,45)(400,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (400,45)(475,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (475,45)(500,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (500,45)(530,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (530,45)(600,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (600,45)(670,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (670,45)(700,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (700,45)(730,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (730,45)(760,52) color:pvdd width:2 points: (760,52)(780,52) color:pvdd width:2 points: (780,52)(800,45) color:pvdd width:2 points: (800,45)(820,45) color:pvdd width:2

layer:front # 50+ points: (41,35)(95,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (95,35)(160,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (160,35)(190,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (190,35)(220,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (220,35)(250,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (250,35)(280,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (280,35)(310,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (310,35)(340,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (340,35)(400,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (400,35)(475,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (475,35)(500,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (500,35)(530,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (530,35)(600,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (600,35)(670,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (670,35)(700,39) color:50+ width:2 points: (700,39)(730,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (730,35)(760,35) color:50+ width:2 points: (760,35)(780,39) color:50+ width:2 points: (780,39)(800,39) color:50+ width:2 points: (800,39)(820,35) color:50+ width:2

layer:front # DPK points: (41,28)(95,28) color:obp width:2 points: (95,28)(160,28) color:obp width:2 points: (160,28)(190,33) color:obp width:2 points: (190,33)(220,28) color:obp width:2 points: (220,28)(250,28) color:obp width:2 points: (250,28)(280,28) color:obp width:2 points: (280,28)(310,28) color:obp width:2 points: (310,28)(340,28) color:obp width:2 points: (340,28)(400,28) color:obp width:2 points: (400,28)(475,28) color:obp width:2 points: (475,28)(500,28) color:obp width:2 points: (500,28)(530,28) color:obp width:2 points: (530,28)(600,28) color:obp width:2 points: (600,28)(670,28) color:obp width:2 points: (670,28)(700,28) color:obp width:2 points: (700,28)(730,28) color:obp width:2 points: (730,28)(760,28) color:obp width:2 points: (760,28)(780,28) color:obp width:2 points: (780,28)(800,28) color:obp width:2 points: (800,28)(820,28) color:obp width:2

Date	Polling firm	VVD	PvdA	PVV	CDA	SP	D66	GL	CU	SGP	PvdD	50 Plus	Pirate
9 June 2010	2010 Election	20.4% (31)	19.6% (30)	15.5% (24)	13.7% (21)	9.9% (15)	6.9% (10)	6.6% (10)	3.3% (5)	1.7% (2)	1.3% (2)	– (0)	0.1% (0)
22 March 2012^[12]	Ipsos Neth.	22.1% (34)	16.8% (26)	13.9% (21)	9.4% (14)	16.8% (26)	7.7% (11)	4.5% (7)	3.3% (5)	1.5% (2)	2.4% (4)	1.1% (1)
5 April 2012	Ipsos Neth.	23.6% (36)	17.1% (26)	13.3% (20)	8.8% (13)	16.3% (25)	8.7% (13)	4.1% (6)	3.2% (5)	1.4% (2)	2.0% (3)	0.8% (1)
19 April 2012^[13]	Ipsos Neth.	24.0% (37)	17.3% (27)	12.0% (18)	8.2% (12)	17.0% (26)	8.8% (13)	3.5% (5)	3.3% (5)	1.6% (2)	3.1% (4)	0.8% (1)
27 April 2012	Ipsos Neth.	22.4% (34)	16.5% (25)	12.1% (18)	8.4% (13)	17.2% (26)	10.6% (16)	3.3% (5)	4.0% (6)	1.7% (2)	2.2% (3)	0.8% (1)
5 May 2012^[14]	Ipsos Neth.	22.9% (35)	14.7% (23)	11.4% (17)	9.0% (14)	18.5% (28)	10.1% (15)	4.1% (6)	3.6% (5)	1.4% (2)	2.9% (4)	0.8% (1)
12 May 2012	Ipsos Neth.	21.4% (33)	14.5% (22)	12.7% (19)	10.3% (16)	18.5% (28)	9.9% (15)	3.8% (5)	3.9% (6)	1.3% (2)	2.5% (3)	0.8% (0)
18 May 2012^[15]	Ipsos Neth.	20.1% (31)	16.0% (24)	13.8% (21)	10.7% (16)	17.3% (27)	9.8% (15)	3.8% (5)	3.4% (5)	1.4% (2)	2.5% (3)	0.7% (0)
25 May 2012	Ipsos Neth.	19.8% (30)	16.2% (25)	13.4% (20)	10.3% (16)	17.5% (27)	10.3% (16)	3.8% (5)	3.7% (5)	1.4% (2)	2.3% (3)	0.8% (1)
2 June 2012^[16]	Ipsos Neth.	21.0% (32)	15.3% (24)	14.1% (22)	9.4% (14)	17.6% (27)	9.7% (15)	3.7% (5)	3.4% (5)	1.6% (2)	2.3% (3)	0.8% (1)
15 June 2012	Ipsos Neth.	22.3% (34)	15.5% (24)	15.3% (23)	8.0% (12)	16.6% (25)	9.6% (15)	3.3% (5)	4.0% (6)	1.4% (2)	2.1% (3)	0.7% (1)
29 June 2012^[17]	Ipsos Neth.	20.8% (32)	15.1% (23)	13.1% (20)	9.4% (14)	18.3% (28)	9.3% (14)	3.2% (5)	4.5% (7)	2.1% (3)	2.3% (3)	0.9% (1)
6 July 2012	Ipsos Neth.	23.0% (35)	16.0% (25)	11.9% (18)	9.4% (14)	18.8% (29)	8.7% (13)	2.7% (4)	3.9% (6)	1.6% (2)	2.4% (3)	0.8% (1)
13 July 2012^[18]	Ipsos Neth.	23.3% (36)	14.7% (23)	12.4% (19)	10.5% (16)	17.8% (27)	8.3% (13)	3.6% (5)	3.6% (5)	1.6% (2)	2.3% (3)	0.8% (1)
27 July 2012	Ipsos Neth.	22.2% (35)	14.9% (23)	11.9% (18)	9.5% (15)	18.8% (29)	9.4% (14)	3.1% (4)	4.5% (6)	1.5% (2)	1.9% (3)	1.2% (1)
10 August 2012	Ipsos Neth.	21.0% (32)	14.3% (22)	12.6% (19)	9.6% (15)	19.8% (31)	10.2% (15)	2.6% (4)	4.2% (6)	1.4% (2)	2.5% (3)	1.2% (1)
17 August 2012^[19]	Ipsos Neth.	22.7% (35)	14.9% (23)	11.9% (18)	9.0% (14)	18.4% (29)	9.5% (14)	2.7% (4)	3.4% (5)	2.0% (3)	2.5% (3)	1.4% (2)
24 August 2012^[20]	Ipsos Neth.	22.1% (34)	14.0% (22)	12.4% (19)	9.3% (14)	19.8% (30)	9.5% (14)	3.4% (5)	3.9% (6)	1.6% (2)	2.0% (3)	1.1% (1)
31 August 2012	Ipsos Neth.	22.1% (34)	16.6% (26)	13.2% (20)	8.9% (13)	17.1% (27)	9.2% (14)	2.9% (4)	3.5% (5)	1.5% (2)	2.6% (4)	1.0% (1)
3 September 2012^[21]	Ipsos Neth.	22.7% (35)	19.3% (30)	11.7% (18)	9.0% (14)	15.4% (24)	9.5% (14)	1.7% (3)	3.1% (4)	1.3% (2)	3.0% (4)	1.8% (2)
5 September 2012	Ipsos Neth.	21.6% (34)	20.5% (32)	13.3% (20)	8.0% (12)	14.2% (22)	8.3% (13)	2.7% (4)	4.1% (6)	1.6% (2)	2.2% (3)	1.8% (2)	0.6% (0)
8 September 2012^[22]	Ipsos Neth.	22.5% (35)	22.7% (35)	12.3% (19)	8.4% (13)	13.4% (21)	7.7% (11)	2.9% (4)	4.2% (6)	1.5% (2)	2.2% (3)	0.7% (1)	0.6% (0)
11 September 2012^[23]	Ipsos Neth.	24.3 (37)	23.4 (36)	11.4% (17)	8.8% (13)	13.4% (21)	6.7% (10)	2.3% (4)	3.7% (5)	1.2% (2)	2.1% (3)	1.5% (2)	0.3% (0)
Date	Polling firm	VVD	PvdA	PVV	CDA	SP	D66	GL	CU	SGP	PvdD	50 Plus	Pirate

Natixis evaluated on 6 September the most recent opinion polls, and found the likelihood was strongest for the formation of a "purple government" of the pro-EU parties: VVD, CDA, D66, PvdA and, possible GL. It also pointed to other potential governing coalition that would include a pro-austerity government with VVD, CDA, D66, GL and CU; or a centre-left government of CDA, D66, GL and PvdA with a minority of seats, but with outside parliamentary support of the SP. The two largest eurosceptic parties, PVV and SP, are reportedly not interested in building a coalition. A similar scenario to the previous election could re-occur, considering no pre-election alliance will receive votes enough for majority, and thus needs to form a new more broad coalition government, comprising at least three parties.^[24]

Pre-election agreements

On 27 April, the two governing coalition parties, VVD and CDA negotiated a deal to reduce the national deficit in 2013 to an acceptable level below 3% of GDP. This deal was also supported by the three opposition parties: D66, GL and the CU.^[6]

A ratification of the newly signed Fiscal Compact is unconditionally supported by the four parties: VVD, CDA, D66 and GL. The compact is however opposed by the three parties: PVV, CU and SP, while the PvdA, will only support it provided that the European Commission first grant the Netherlands a two-year exemption to comply, due to the existence of "extraordinary economic circumstances."^[25]

Campaign

The VVD's Mark Rutte is said to be aligned with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in promoting austerity measures, while his closest rival the PvdA's Diederik Samsom's was said to reflect French President Francois Hollande's stimulus measures from its own election this year. A final television debate took place on 11 September, with the economy reportedly the most important issue amongst voters. The day before the debate, Rutte said that he would stop delegating ever increasing powers to the European Union saying: "I am 'Mr No' when it comes to a Brussels that's expanding more and more." Conversely, Samsom said that he was in coordination with Hollande over dealing with the economic crisis.^[26] Support for him and the PvdA grew after he was perceived as having the better performance in the debates. He also rejected taking cabinet posts in a coalition government saying: "I will either be prime minister, or I will lead my party in parliament." The vote was also seen as a test of the EU's popularity within the country.^[27]

Political analyst Anno Bunnik said that many voters were not keen on repeated early elections. He also pointed to PVV's Geert Wilders' declining popularity after he was viewed as a political opportunist not looking out for the national interest in effectively forcing a snap election. In citing Wilders' labeling as a "sorcerer's apprentice," he also pointed to a possible first-ever loss of seats for the PVV under Wilder's helm. He attributed this to Wilders' inefficiency in the debates of responding to the other party leaders instead of setting the agenda, instead in one debate he got into an argument with Rutte with both leaders calling each other liars in an unprecedented move.^[28]

Though opinion polls indicated a close race to gain a majority,^[29] the international media indicated a left-leaning government was likely to emerge as a result of the election.^[30] However, the French election was cited and countered as a turn in orientation for the government would still not lead to a change in austerity policies.^[31]

Results

There was a turn-out of 74.6%, about one percent less than the previous election two years before. The NOS reported the following results after 100% of the votes were counted:^[32]

• The VVD won the most votes (26.6%), accruing 41 seats (an increase of 10).
• The PvdA was second (24.8%), accruing 38 seats (an increase of 8).
• The PVV was third (10.1%), with 15 seats (a loss of nine, down from 24 seats), and obtained the same number of seats as the SP (15).
• The GL lost six of its ten seats and just under two-thirds of their voters.

The Kiesraad announced the final results on 17 September.^{[33] [34]}

By province

Results by province^[35]

Province	VVD	PvdA	PVV	SP	CDA	D66	CU	GL	SGP	PvdD	50+	Others
	23.7	32.8	8.3	9.1	9.8	5.9	4.2	1.8	0.7	1.5	1.4	0.8
	28.7	23.3	12.4	8.3	6.4	5.8	4.6	1.7	3.6	2.0	2.1	1.1
	19.9	33.1	7.3	9.5	13.8	5.1	4.9	1.7	0.9	1.6	1.1	1.1
	25.7	24.3	8.6	9.6	9.6	7.6	4.1	2.4	4.0	1.7	1.6	0.8
	17.1	35.3	7.1	11.7	7.7	7.6	5.8	2.8	0.7	2.0	1.2	1.0
	22.7	21.8	17.7	14.4	9.7	6.3	0.5	1.8	0.1	1.8	2.2	1.0
	28.8	21.5	11.0	13.8	9.1	7.8	0.9	1.8	0.5	1.6	2.4	0.8
	29.3	27.0	8.7	8.4	5.6	10.3	1.4	3.1	0.3	2.6	2.2	1.1
	23.1	24.7	8.1	9.3	13.7	6.6	6.2	1.7	3.0	1.3	1.5	0.8
	28.3	23.5	11.6	7.5	7.0	8.2	3.5	2.2	3.2	2.2	2.0	0.8
	29.6	22.5	7.9	6.6	7.4	10.9	4.4	3.6	2.7	1.9	1.6	0.9
	24.2	22.7	10.0	9.1	9.6	4.9	4.2	1.6	9.5	1.8	1.6	0.8
	18.2	24.0	2.8	7.5	16.3	16.7	4.4	2.6	0.4	2.4	2.0	2.7

See also

• List of members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2012–2017
• 2012 Dutch cabinet formation

Notes and References

1. https://archive.today/20120604052240/http://www.kiesraad.nl/nl/Actueel/Nieuwsberichten/Actueel-Nieuwsberichten-2012/Op_12_september_2012_Tweede_Kamerverkiezing.html www.kiesraad.nl
2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/26/dutch-rookie-party-netherlands-elections Dutch Socialists show major gains ahead of Netherlands elections
3. Web site: Subdued Dutch Socialist opens way for pro-EU coalition . 10 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121209174720/http://www.lse.co.uk/macroeconomicNews.asp?ArticleCode=ott8rgzyx7oyqom&ArticleHeadline=Subdued_Dutch_Socialist_opens_way_for_proEU_coalition . 9 December 2012 . dead .
4. Web site: Formation Diary 2012 . nl. NOS. 5 November 2012. 7 November 2012.
5. Web site: Verkiezingen Caribische graadmeter. 15 March 2017.
6. Web site: Opposition parties rescue Dutch budget plan. EUobserver.com. 27 April 2012. 31 August 2012.
7. Web site: Piratenpartij: 2 à 3 zetels mogelijk bij verkiezingen . nl . 5 August 2012 . 16 July 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120720041633/http://frontbencher.nl/2012/07/16/piratenpartij-2-a-3-zetels-mogelijk-bij-verkiezingen/ . 20 July 2012.
8. News: Hero Brinkman to go it alone at general election . Dutch News . 25 April 2012 . 13 September 2012.
9. News: alex . Verdonk keert niet terug in politiek . Brabantsdagblad . 24 April 2012 . 13 September 2012.
10. Web site: Kandidatenlijsten bekend . 8 August 2012 . Kiesraad . 12 September 2012 . nl . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120805034400/http://www.kiesraad.nl/nieuws/nummering-kandidatenlijsten-bekend . 5 August 2012.
11. Web site: Nummering kandidatenlijsten bekend . 2 August 2012 . Kiesraad . 12 September 2012 . nl . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120812002408/http://www.kiesraad.nl/nieuws/kandidatenlijsten-bekend . 12 August 2012.
12. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 5 April 2012 . https://archive.today/20120604052310/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1001 . dead . 4 June 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 25 May 2012 .
13. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 27 April 2012 . https://archive.today/20120604052308/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1024 . dead . 4 June 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 25 May 2012 .
14. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 12 May 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 25 May 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120527142520/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=621 . 27 May 2012.
15. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 25 May 2012 . https://archive.today/20120803162528/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1037 . dead . 3 August 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 25 May 2012 .
16. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 15 June 2012 . https://archive.today/20120803034826/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1056 . dead . 3 August 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 5 June 2012 .
17. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 6 July 2012 . https://archive.today/20121209015431/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1064 . dead . 9 December 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 2 July 2012 .
18. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 27 July 2012 . https://archive.today/20121220070158/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1068 . dead . 20 December 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 13 July 2012 .
19. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 17 August 2012 . https://archive.today/20121209054847/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1077 . dead . 9 December 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 24 August 2012 .
20. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands 31 August 2012 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 2 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130605110752/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1081 . 5 June 2013.
21. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands: Political Barometer in Detail – Week 36 . https://archive.today/20130112051837/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1088 . dead . 12 January 2013 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 9 September 2012 .
22. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands: Political Barometer in Detail – Week 36 (8 September 2012) . https://archive.today/20130112124816/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1090 . dead . 12 January 2013 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 9 September 2012.
23. Web site: Ipsos Netherlands: Political Barometer in Detail – Week 37 (11 September 2012) . https://archive.today/20130112052603/http://www.ipsos-nederland.nl/content.asp?targetid=1095 . dead . 12 January 2013 . Politiekebarometer.nl . 12 September 2012 .
24. Web site: Dutch elections 2012 – where are we heading?. Special report -economic research (no.105). Natixis. 6 September 2012. 10 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20161130185144/http://cib.natixis.com/flushdoc.aspx?id=65695. 30 November 2016. dead.
25. Web site: Dutch government bond update: Political uncertainty to weigh on DSLs. HSBC Global Research. 23 March 2012. 31 August 2012.
26. News: Euro-dominated Dutch polls go down to wire . Al Jazeera . 4 October 2011 . 13 September 2012.
27. News: David Poort . Dutch election set to test EU popularity . Al Jazeera . 4 October 2011 . 13 September 2012.
28. Web site: The rise and fall of Geert Wilders? . Al Jazeera . 13 September 2012.
29. Web site: Netherlands election is too close to call | euronews, world news . Euronews.com . 14 May 2012 . 13 September 2012 . 29 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190629075733/https://www.euronews.com/2012/09/12/netherlands-election-is-too-close-to-call . dead .
30. News: Netherlands holds general election . The Irish Times . 12 September 2012 . 13 September 2012 . 16 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120916201132/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0912/breaking14.html . dead .
31. Web site: The Netherlands gets ready to turn left . The Guardian. 29 May 2008 . 13 September 2012.
32. http://nos.nl/dossier/365768-tweede-kamerverkiezingen-2012/tab/504/uitslagen/ "Tweede Kamerverkiezingen 2012: Uitslag"
33. http://www.kiesraad.nl/artikel/verkiezingsuitslagen Verkiezingsuitslagen
34. http://nos.nl/artikel/419446-kiesraad-komt-met-officiele-uitslag.html Kiesraad komt met officiële uitslag
35. Web site: Tweede Kamer 12 september 2012 . Kiesraad . Dutch . 4 November 2021.