(16 Mar 2017) Dutch political parties were preparing Thursday to start what will likely be a long process of coalition talks after Prime Minister Mark Rutte's right-wing VVD party easily won national elections, defying polls that suggested a close race with anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders.
With most votes counted for the 150-seat legislature, Rutte's VVD had 33 seats, eight fewer than in 2012. The far-right populist Party for Freedom of Wilders was second with 20 seats, five more than the last time but still a stinging setback after polls in recent months had suggested his party could become the largest in Dutch politics.
Rutte also pointed to those polls in a radio interview, sounding relieved with the result.
Wilders, meanwhile, had lost none of his trademark defiance.
The Christian Democrats and centrist D66 parties - likely future coalition partners for Rutte - won 19 seats each.
Party leaders were expected to meet early afternoon to discuss first steps in the coalition formation process.
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