Deadline Approaches for Dutch Citizens abroad to register for October election

THE HAGUE--Dutch nationals living outside the Netherlands have until September 17 to register to vote in the country’s upcoming general election this October. Eligible citizens must indicate whether they plan to vote by mail, authorize someone to vote on their behalf (proxy), or return home to vote in person. This registration is only necessary for those who have not yet completed the process.

Concerns remain over the reliability of voting from abroad, which still relies exclusively on postal ballots. Expat communities have frequently raised alarm over ballots being delayed or not arriving at all, often resulting in lost votes and frustration.

The Foundation for Dutch Nationals Abroad (Stichting Nederlanders Buiten Nederland, SNBN), an organization representing Dutch citizens overseas, has reiterated its concerns about postal voting and recommends proxy voting as the most dependable method. The foundation continues to urge the Dutch government to adopt electronic voting as a modern and secure alternative.

In domestic political developments, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) appears to be making an unexpected resurgence. According to a new EenVandaag/Verian poll surveying 1,505 voters, the CDA has climbed to 23 projected seats, matching the center-right VVD.

Although the CDA and VVD are now neck-and-neck, the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) remains in the lead with 30 seats. Close behind is the GreenLeft-Labour alliance (GroenLinks-PvdA) with 29. Notably, the PVV has seen a slight decline, while the left-leaning alliance has gained momentum.

The VVD, under the leadership of Dilan Yeşilgöz, is facing internal criticism. Support for Yeşilgöz among VVD voters has dropped sharply—from 77 percent in June to just 50 percent now. Critics within the party accuse her of adopting populist rhetoric and argue that the VVD under her leadership is veering too close to the PVV’s style. Her shifting statements and public positions have also contributed to skepticism over her leadership.

One recent controversy involved Yeşilgöz’s public accusation of antisemitism against singer Douwe Bob, who declined to perform at a Jewish football event. The fallout was severe: the singer reportedly received death threats and went into hiding with his family. Many disillusioned VVD voters labeled Yeşilgöz’s conduct “unfit for a prime minister,” according to the EenVandaag poll.

By contrast, CDA leader Henri Bontenbal is being credited for the party’s resurgence. Among CDA supporters, 38 percent say they are backing the party specifically because of Bontenbal, an unusually high figure in a system where policies usually outweigh personalities. Across all respondents, 21 percent consider Bontenbal a strong contender for prime minister. One Volt supporter described him as “clear, honest, and able to build bridges.”

Elsewhere in the polling, PVV dropped from 32 to 30 seats, while GroenLinks-PvdA increased from 26 to 29. The centrist D66 remains stable at 10 seats, with both the Socialist Party (SP) and JA21 holding at 7 each. JA21’s recent momentum is attributed in part to the addition of former PVV State Secretary Ingrid Coenradie.

Among the smaller parties, the Party for the Animals (PvdD) and Forum for Democracy (FvD) each stand at 4 seats. DENK, BBB, and Volt are each polling at 2, and the New Social Contract (NSC), previously associated with Pieter Omtzigt, retains one seat in Parliament.

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