Disbelief. Even slight distress. “My first reaction?” asks Nitrogen Minister Christiane van der Waals. “I don’t have a response yet.” “Dylan’s campaign was really good,” she adds.

The exit poll brought somber faces to a conference hall in an industrial park in The Hague, where the VVD had hoped to celebrate with a big party. But the election campaign machine, which has been the VVD for many years, is faltering. It is becoming increasingly unlikely that Dylan Jesseljosz will succeed Mark Rutte not only as party leader, but also as prime minister.

History shows that the departure of the Prime Minister means that the party must limit its losses in the elections. Ask the Constitutional Drafting Assembly how difficult this is, as Ruud Lubbers’ farewell has led to twenty fewer parliamentary seats. Or for PvdA members, who saw how their party had to give up 22 seats after Wim Kok left for Binnenhof. The VVD’s loss would be about ten seats.

Tired of old politics?

MP Pim van Strien is 34th on the list of candidates and sees a “dream evaporating”. “This is a sensitive loss. I really felt like our party had achieved something beautiful in recent weeks.

Outgoing Prime Minister Rutte remained largely aloof during the election campaign, fearing he would stand in Yeselgöz’s way. The VVD has been very keen to portray an image that the party is making a “fresh start” under Yeselgoz’s leadership, hoping to get rid of the outstanding problems (seismic misery, the aid issue, the housing shortage). It boldly appeared on election posters with the text “Are you done with old politics?”

It was not clear what this new cycle entailed during the election campaign. Not surprisingly, the party made immigration its main topic, and it was a party pastime for the longest time. Yesilgöz did not innovate, but preferred to ride on the foundation built by the VVD in the Rutte era; A party that monitors “our safety,” wants to “stop” the “flow of asylum seekers,” and that is generally a good thing for wealthy citizens. “Choose Dylan” became the slogan that would get her to the tower.

A vote for Wilders this time is also a vote for power

At one important point, Yesilgoz departed from her predecessor’s line; She stated in the summer that collaborating with Geert Wilders was no longer an option. The final phase of the campaign gave an unexpected new dynamic. Polling agencies have noted how the Freedom Party has gained popularity, apparently because voters believe (or hope) that a vote for Wilders this time is also a vote for power.

Rutte previously said he “fully supports” the new party line. However, unrest has erupted within the party in recent days. Yesilgoz stated in an interview that she would not join the coalition if Wilders became prime minister. I believe this country deserves a leader who is there for everyone. So no, I won’t do that.”

This statement will echo over the Binnenhof for the foreseeable future. Yesilgöz is more clear this evening. She first wants to discuss the consequences of the outcome in the group. “This is the correct order.” Regarding Wilders’ victory and her campaign strategy, Yeselgoz says: “It was not the People’s Party for Democracy that made the Party for Freedom great, it was the voters who did it. This is what happens. If you do not address this and solve it, you will get this.”

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Follow here how the results of the parliamentary elections appear.

In this article, we follow the first exit polls after the polls closed. From that moment on, you can see the results for each municipality here.

Those who exclude are excluded: Wilders is never allowed to join the government

Trouw readers responded en masse to the question of whether Wilders’ voters should be excluded from participating in government. Their opinion is unequivocal: Wilders’ fate is his choice.