The Netherlands is a high-performing democracy, exhibiting high levels of performance across all attributes of the Global State of Democracy Indices
(GSoDI). Over the past five years, it has only seen a notable decline in the Effective Parliament sub-attribute (which still remains in the high-performing
range). Shortcomings in parliamentary scrutiny, particularly in the Childcare Allowance Case (known as “toeslagenaffaire”), may have contributed to this
decline. The Netherlands is home to various intergovernmental organizations and international courts in The Hague, which is regarded as an international symbol for peace and justice. The country has a highly competitive and developed economy with low rates of unemployment.
Dutch politics is marked by party fragmentation, sometimes referred to as “Dutchification.” Some argue that such fragmentation is positive, representing a more engaged electorate that votes along nuanced lines that go beyond traditional dividing lines and allowing voters to choose parties that are closer to their own specific combinations of priorities and values. Fragmentation can also be problematic because of resulting difficulty in forming majorities and seeking approvals to government proposals.
Increasing levels of political polarization also impact the Netherlands, especially regarding gender, climate change and the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some experts claim that these issues reflect public distrust of government, which is tasked with tackling crises like climate change and pandemics. Growing concern about polarization exists at the public level as well. Polarization is also especially stark with regard to cultural issues and the populist radical right.
Dutch society has a long tradition of social tolerance, with liberal views on issues such as sexual orientation and multiculturalism. Over at least the last two decades, however, an increase in the number of immigrants and concomitant fears about Dutch identity contributed to the rise of the far-right and a focus on the perceived threat of Islam. The far reaching effects on society were captured in a 2020 report by the UN’s Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, who described the situation in the Netherlands as one in which “race, ethnicity, national origin, religion and other factors determine who is treated fully as a citizen”. At the end of 2022, a government-commissioned report found widespread racism at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as evidence of racism as a persistent problem at the
societal level, prompting an apology from the Ministry’s Secretary-General.
Since 2019, some of the popularity of the anti-immigrant far-right has waned. It has been partially replaced with the recent, dramatic rise of the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), a party based in rural areas that came to power on a wave of anger at the government’s plans to cut nitrogen emissions. This election result has brought to the fore urban-rural divides and highlights the difficulties the government faces in achieving some of its goals, including with regard to fighting climate change.
Going forward, it will be important to watch Fundamental Rights, especially as the government responds to the findings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ report on racism and in light of the ongoing work of the National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism. Effective Parliament is also likely to experience changes following reforms that were implemented in the wake of the Childcare Allowance Case. Finally, it will be important to watch attempts to address polarization within society.
Latest updates
January 2024 – Senate passes law on fair distribution of asylum seekers On 23 January, the Dutch Senate approved a law on fair distribution of asylum seekers between Dutch municipalities. Over the past decade, only roughly half of Dutch municipalities have provided accommodations for asylum seekers. With 32,000 people currently housed in temporary shelters, the objective of the law is to tackle the lack of accommodation by granting the government authority to override municipalities’ refusal to accept asylum seekers. The Senate approved the law with 43 votes in favour, 27 against,
and 5 abstentions. The law could be passed largely due to the support of the conservative liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVP), the party of former prime minister Mark Rutte, even though Geert Wilders’ right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV), currently trying to form a government, voted against it.
November 2023 – Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders wins elections On 22 November, the country held early general elections to elect the members of the House of Representatives following the collapse of the fourth Rutte cabinet in July, triggered by immigration policy disagreements among the coalition partners. The right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, secured 37 out of the 150-seats, becoming the largest party for the first time. All four parties of the incumbent coalition government experienced losses. With doubled support, PVV wants to focus on issues such as cost-of-living, an exit from the EU (Nexit), closing the borders to all immigration and to the “de-Islamisization” of the country. Voter turnout was 78 per cent, down from 81 per cent in 2017. Similar to the previous legislature, women will constitute 40 per cent of the parliament.