2018 Dutch municipal elections

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2018 Dutch municipal elections
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Municipal elections were held on 21 March 2018 in 335 municipalities in the Netherlands. This election determined the composition of the municipal councils for the following four years. [1] The election coincided with the Intelligence and Security Services Act referendum. [2]

Contents

Background

PvdA campaign poster Posters met beeld staand A3 2e batch Deel10 (38608066170).jpg
PvdA campaign poster

In the previous municipal elections, local political parties won by far most votes and seats. Nationally, all local political parties won 28% of the votes and a third of municipal council seats. [3] Local parties have seen a steady rise since the 1990s. In 2018, Vlieland will be the only municipality in which no national political parties will contest the election. [4]

Of all national political parties, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) will contest most municipal elections; the party will be on the ballot in all but three (Rozendaal, Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog). The Labour Party (PvdA) comes second, contesting over 320 elections, albeit on a joint list with allied parties in some municipalities. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) will participate in over 315 elections, and the Democrats 66 in over 270, followed by GroenLinks in 220, the Christian Union in 169, the Socialist Party in 118 and the Reformed Political Party (SGP) in 99.

The Party for Freedom (PVV), which had previously only participated in The Hague and Almere, initially planned to expand to a total of sixty municipalities, but has only been able to find suitable candidates in thirty, including Rotterdam. 50PLUS will expand to twenty municipalities, while the Party for the Animals (PvdD) will contest fifteen elections. Two new national political parties will make their entrance to municipal politics. Denk will contest the elections in fourteen municipalities, while the Forum for Democracy will only contest in Amsterdam. Additionally, the latter has endorsed the local party Livable Rotterdam. [5]

45 municipalities did not have elections on 21 March due to mergers.

Electoral system

Municipal councils are elected using party-list proportional representation. The number of seats depends on the population of the municipality, ranging from nine seats for municipalities with a population below 3,000, to 45 seats for municipalities with a population over 200,000.

Overall results

PartyVotes%Seats
Local Parties1,945,90428.652,612
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 916,93013.501,131
Christian Democratic Appeal 910,44113.411,293
Democrats 66 623,6719.18602
GroenLinks 602,1578.87527
Labour Party 510,5277.52549
Socialist Party 301,6004.44285
Christian Union 260,0073.83303
Reformed Political Party 129,1811.90173
Party for Freedom 94,1181.3975
Christian Union – Reformed Political Party 87,7621.29107
Party for the Animals 80,9041.1930
DENK 70,8321.0424
GroenLinks–Labour Party 65,5660.97114
50PLUS 55,7860.8233
D66–GroenLinks–Labour Party 22,2510.3343
Forum for Democracy 20,0150.293
NIDA 16,8700.253
Frisian National Party 13,8480.2022
D66–GroenLinks 8,3680.1214
United Seniors Party7,9330.128
General Elderly Alliance 7,3100.119
Elderly Politically Active6,1040.092
Trots op Nederland 6,0660.093
Pirate Party 5,7130.080
D66–Labour Party 4,5960.075
D66–GL–PvdA–SP 4,5280.0710
D66–VVD 3,4910.058
Jesus Lives 2,3480.030
New Communist Party 2,3460.033
Ubuntu Connected Front 1,5870.020
Libertarian Party 9230.010
Basic Income Party 6350.010
Peace and Justice6160.010
TROTS–OPA5100.010
QUEER2600.000
Total6,791,704100.007,991
Valid votes6,791,70499.15
Invalid/blank votes58,0840.85
Total votes6,849,788100.00
Registered voters/turnout12,461,54054.97
Source: Kiesraad [6]

Amsterdam

Opinion polling

Polling firmDate D66 PvdA VVD SP GL PvdD CDA PvdO CU DENK FvD Bij1 50+ LeadRef.
OIS17 Mar 201885649310/103410/11 [7]
Peil.nl10 Mar 20189545921013411Tied [8]
OIS17 Jan 2018108548210/102310/12 [9]
Peil.nl10 Jan 20189564921003321Tied [10]
2014 election 19 Mar 201414106661110did not contest4

Results

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
GroenLinks 70,88020.4210+4
Democrats 66 55,72416.058–6
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 39,70211.4460
Labour Party 37,18110.715–5
Socialist Party 26,0707.513–3
Party for the Animals 24,6727.113+2
DENK 23,1386.673New
Forum for Democracy 20,0155.773New
Christian Democratic Appeal 11,9913.4510
Party for the Elderly 7,7522.2310
Christian Union 6,8371.971+1
Amsterdam BIJ1 6,5711.891New
Other parties16,6154.7900
Total347,148100.0045–
Valid votes347,14898.72
Invalid/blank votes4,5111.28
Total votes351,659100.00
Registered voters/turnout674,28652.15
Source: Kiesraad [11]

After the 2018 municipal elections, the GroenLinks held the largest share of seats on the municipal council, though not enough to hold a majority. As no party held a majority, a left-leaning governing coalition was formed between GroenLinks, D66, the Labour Party, and the Socialist Party, which together hold 26 of the city's 45 council seats. [12]

The new city council elected Femke Halsema, a member of the GroenLinks, to be the mayor of Amsterdam. Halsema is the first woman to be elected mayor of Amsterdam, as well as the first member of the GroenLinks to take that position. [13]

Rotterdam

Opinion polling

Polling firmDate LR PvdA D66 SP VVD CDA GL NIDA CU-SGP PvdD PVV DENK 50+ LeadRef
Peil.nl18 Feb 201895554351113214 [14]
Peil.nl25 Jan 201875546351115201 [15]
2014 election 19 Mar 201414865332211did not contest6

Results

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Livable Rotterdam 47,31220.5011–3
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 24,64110.685+2
Democrats 66 22,9209.935–1
GroenLinks 22,7219.855+3
Labour Party 22,2759.655–3
DENK 16,9557.354New
NIDA Rotterdam 12,3895.3720
Socialist Party 11,3894.932–3
Christian Democratic Appeal 10,7564.662–1
Party for Freedom 8,1493.531New
Party for the Animals 8,0913.5110
50PLUS 7,3593.191New
Christian Union – Reformed Political Party 6,9563.0110
Other parties8,8733.8400
Total230,786100.0045–
Valid votes230,78698.61
Invalid/blank votes3,2511.39
Total votes234,037100.00
Registered voters/turnout501,23446.69
Source: Kiesraad [16]

The Hague

Opinion polling

Polling firmDate D66 PVV PvdA HSP VVD CDA GDM SP GL ID PvdE CU–SGP PvdD 50+ LeadRef
I&O Research14 Mar 2018743352616202221 [17]
I&O Research21 Feb 2018644273625101221 [18]
I&O Research31 Jan 2018844262515103222 [19]
2014 election 19 Mar 20148765433222111did not contest1

    Results

    PartyVotes%Seats+/–
    De Mos Group/Hart voor Den Haag 32,63216.808+5
    People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 26,99013.907+3
    Democrats 66 23,97312.346–2
    GroenLinks 20,68410.655+3
    Christian Democratic Appeal 12,6186.5030
    Labour Party 12,5676.473–3
    Haagse Stadspartij 10,8975.613–2
    Party for the Animals 10,2015.252+1
    Party for Freedom 9,0364.652–5
    Islam Democrats 6,9433.571–1
    Christian Union – Reformed Political Party 6,1293.1610
    Socialist Party 5,1762.661–1
    Nida 4,4812.311New
    50Plus 4,4442.291New
    Party of Unity 4,0262.0710
    Other parties3,4391.7700
    Total194,236100.0045–
    Valid votes194,23698.85
    Invalid/blank votes2,2611.15
    Total votes196,497100.00
    Registered voters/turnout409,44447.99
    Source: Kiesraad [20]

    Utrecht

    Opinion polling

    Polling firmDate D66 GL VVD PvdA SP CDA SBU CU S&S PvdD DENK PVV LeadRef
    Peil.nl24 Jan 201891074331211221 [21]
    2014 election 19 Mar 201413955432211did not contest4

    Results

    PartyVotes%Seats+/–
    GroenLinks 36,23122.9612+3
    Democrats 66 32,73520.7410–3
    People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 20,52213.006+1
    Labour Party 9,8126.223–2
    Christian Democratic Appeal 8,4285.342–1
    Party for the Animals 8,3175.272+1
    DENK 7,6624.852New
    Christian Union 6,4514.0920
    Student & Starter 6,4454.082+1
    Socialist Party 6,4194.072–2
    Party for Freedom 5,9153.751New
    City Interest Utrecht 4,2952.721–1
    Other parties4,5902.9100
    Total157,822100.0045–
    Valid votes157,82299.23
    Invalid/blank votes1,2240.77
    Total votes159,046100.00
    Registered voters/turnout269,45959.02
    Source: Kiesraad [22]

    Eindhoven

    Results

    PartyVotes%Seats+/–
    People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 12,27514.797+1
    GroenLinks 12,04414.517+3
    Labour Party 10,18012.276–2
    Democrats 66 9,73511.736–1
    Christian Democratic Appeal 9,51411.466+2
    Socialist Party 6,6097.964–3
    Elderly Appeal Eindhoven 4,6475.602–3
    Pim Fortuyn List Eindhoven 3,3534.042+1
    50PLUS 3,2493.912New
    DENK 2,8643.451New
    Livable Eindhoven 2,2942.761–1
    Christian Union 1,9552.3610
    Other parties4,2755.1500
    Total82,994100.0045–
    Valid votes82,99498.82
    Invalid/blank votes9881.18
    Total votes83,982100.00
    Registered voters/turnout181,07946.38
    Source: Kiesraad [23]

    Nijmegen

    Opinion polling

    Polling firmDate SP GL D66 PvdA VVD GN CDA DNF 50+ PvdD LeadRef
    Peil.nl24 Jan 201869734222222 [24]
    2014 election 19 Mar 2014887442222 [N 1] did not contestTied
    1. ↑ Contested as the United Seniors Party.

    Results

    PartyVotes%Seats+/–
    GroenLinks 20,14924.7711+3
    Democrats 66 12,04514.816–1
    Socialist Party 10,86513.365–3
    People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 8,40710.3440
    City Party Nijmegen 6,3557.813+1
    Labour Party 5,7477.073–1
    Christian Democratic Appeal 4,0945.0320
    Party for the Animals 3,6944.542New
    50PLUS 3,0013.691New
    Just Nijmegen 2,8153.461–1
    ForNijmegen.NOW 1,8452.271New
    Other parties2,3232.860–2
    Total81,340100.0039–
    Valid votes81,34099.27
    Invalid/blank votes5980.73
    Total votes81,938100.00
    Registered voters/turnout143,58257.07
    Source: Kiesraad [25]

    References

    1. ↑ "Gemeenteraden". Kiesraad.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 February 2018.
    2. ↑ "Dag van stemming referendum Wiv (woensdag 21 maart 2018)". Kiesraad.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2018-02-15. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
    3. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 19 maart 2014". Verkiezingsuitslagen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 February 2018.
    4. ↑ "De opkomst van de lokale partij: op Vlieland doen landelijke partijen niet meer mee". EenVandaag (in Dutch). February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
    5. ↑ "CDA doet mee in de meeste gemeenteraadsverkiezingen". Binnenlands Bestuur (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 February 2018.
    6. ↑ "Kiesraad - Verkiezingsuitslagen".
    7. ↑ "GroenLinks loopt uit op D66 in laatste peiling voor verkiezingen" . Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    8. ↑ "D66 en GroenLinks gaan nek-aan-nek in verkiezingsstrijd" . Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    9. ↑ "D66 blijft grootste, nieuwkomers stevenen af op debuut" . Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    10. ↑ "'Strijd tussen D66 en GroenLinks in Amsterdam' | Binnenland | Telegraaf.nl". www.telegraaf.nl (in Dutch). 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    11. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 21 maart 2018" (in Dutch). Verkiezingsuitslagen. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
    12. ↑ "Amsterdam's new administration unveils plans for greener, more social city". Dutch News. DutchNews. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
    13. ↑ Pieters, Janene (28 June 2018). "Femke Halsema chosen as new Amsterdam mayor". NL Times. NLTimes.NL. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
    14. ↑ "Leefbaar Rotterdam verliest minder zetels in nieuwste peiling". www.rijnmond.nl (in Dutch). 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    15. ↑ "Leefbaar Rotterdam halveert in peiling De Hond". www.rijnmond.nl (in Dutch). 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    16. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 21 maart 2018" (in Dutch). Verkiezingsuitslagen. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
    17. ↑ Brakema, Maarten (2018-03-14). "Laatste peiling voor verkiezingen: D66 weer aan kop in Den Haag". www.omroepwest.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    18. ↑ "Omroep West".
    19. ↑ "Rapport OP NAAR DE GEMEENTERAADS-VERKIEZINGEN" (PDF). ioresearch.nl. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
    20. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 21 maart 2018" (in Dutch). Verkiezingsuitslagen. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
    21. ↑ "Maurice de Hond peilt Utrechtse stemmen: GroenLinks de grootste". De Utrechtse Internet Courant. 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    22. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 21 maart 2018" (in Dutch). Verkiezingsuitslagen. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
    23. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 21 maart 2018" (in Dutch). Verkiezingsuitslagen. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
    24. ↑ "GroenLinks aan kop in peiling, maar nog zeer veel twijfelaars in Nijmegen" . Retrieved 2024-11-06.
    25. ↑ "Gemeenteraad 21 maart 2018" (in Dutch). Verkiezingsuitslagen. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
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