Nine Days to Go: Dutch voters head to the polls amid deep discontent and political infighting

THE HAGUE--With just nine days remaining until the Dutch general election on October 29, a new nationwide survey reveals a stark reality: a majority of Dutch citizens believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, and trust in politics is at a historic low.

According to a new report from the Social and Cultural Planning Office (Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, SCP), 59% of Dutch respondents say the Netherlands is on the wrong track, citing political gridlock, lack of leadership, and unresolved issues like the housing crisis. More than 60% gave "political The Hague" a failing grade.

This wave of frustration comes after months of political upheaval, including the collapse of the governing coalition in June following the PVV's departure, and the resignation of NSC ministers in August. SCP researchers highlight growing polarization around immigration and climate policy, warning that democratic engagement may suffer as more people withdraw from political participation altogether.

“People feel they can do little about the negative effects of domestic and foreign developments,” said Josje den Ridder, one of the lead SCP researchers. “In their view, the government could address these problems but either does not or acts incorrectly. The result is that some people withdraw and stop voting.”

The report captures raw public sentiment, with one respondent calling the government a “bunch of bunglers,” and another saying, “I find it a mess right now, especially since NSC also stepped down.”

As campaigning enters its final stretch, election debates are heating up, highlighting sharp policy divides among the main parties:

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞

During the second major televised debate, D66 leader Rob Jetten and GroenLinks–PvdA frontman Frans Timmermans clashed over the future of the basic health insurance package. Timmermans accused Jetten of misleading voters about D66’s plan to freeze the package, arguing that the CPB financial analysis contradicts Jetten’s claims about flexibility for adding new drugs. Jetten countered by accusing Timmermans of distorting his party’s plans on housing and defense.

𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧—𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The debate also saw rare consensus across party lines: action is needed to address the exploitation of foreign workers, particularly in low-wage sectors. SP leader Jimmy Dijk criticized the establishment parties for years of inaction, while VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz admitted that her party had wrongly assumed market forces would self-correct the issue.

However, solutions remain divisive. The VVD and Christian Democrats advocate for automation to reduce reliance on foreign labor, while far-right JA21 called for a roll-back of EU free movement, a proposal that would require major treaty changes and could take years to implement.

𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬

With polarization deepening and trust in institutions waning, SCP researchers warn that the upcoming election could mark a critical turning point for Dutch democracy. Many voters feel alienated, concerned not just with policy failures but with the tone and tenor of political debate.

“There’s a growing discomfort around how people treat each other in political discussions,” said Den Ridder. “Some find it so unpleasant that they avoid conversations altogether. This is a risk for democracy.”

As the October 29 election nears, all eyes are on whether parties can re-engage disillusioned voters—and whether the next coalition will be capable of restoring trust and addressing the deep-rooted challenges facing the Netherlands.

Photo caption: 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘑𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘺 𝘋𝘪𝘫𝘬 (𝘚𝘗), 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘪 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘣𝘢𝘭 (𝘊𝘋𝘈), 𝘙𝘰𝘣 𝘑𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 (𝘋66), 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘠𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘨𝘰𝘻 (𝘝𝘝𝘋), 𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘌𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 (𝘑𝘈21) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 (𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴-𝘗𝘷𝘥𝘈) 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰: 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘬𝘰 𝘥𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘕𝘗