Dutch Freedom Party set for local election breakthrough

Amsterdam - The Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), known for it harsh stance on Islam and migrants, was set to achieve a major election breakthrough in two cities on Wednesday. Opinion polls suggest the party - standing in local and municipal elections for the first time - is likely to win the Dutch city of Almere and come second in the Hague.

Almere is the Netherlands' fifth largest city.

The PVV is most famous for its controversial leader, Gert Wilders, who has courted publicity with his anti-Islam film Fitna.

Turnout nationally in the 390 municipal elections is expected to be around 50 per cent, although slightly higher - 60 per cent - in the Hague and Almere.

Voting booths close at 9 pm (2000 GMT) with the first exit polls are due to be released by 10 pm (2100 GMT).

The Freedom Party, first established in 2006, entered parliament with 9 seats following general elections that year. Opinion polls indicate the PVV would receive at least 24 seats in parliament if a general election were held today.

Early general elections in the Netherlands are set to take place on June 9 after the government coalition of Christian Democrats, Labor and Christian Union fell February 20 over extension of the country's military mission in Afganistan.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/312232,dutch-freedom-party-set-for-local-election-breakthrough.html.