Election: battle for third place heats up with four parties in the running

Wednesday 15 August 2012

With the Socialists and right-wing VVD competing to become biggest party after the September 12 election, there is also a four-party battle for third place, according to a new analysis of the latest opinion polls.

The latest look at the four main opinion polls by Leiden University researchers shows the anti-immigration PVV, Christian Democrats, Labour and the D66 liberals all have similar levels of support.

Both the PVV and Labour have seen their support ebb away since the beginning of the campaign. The PVV, which has 24 seats in parliament, is now on target to win 14 to 18 while Labour will take between 16 and 20. Polls give the CDA between 13 and 17 seats while D66 are on 13 to 15.

Gap

The gap between these four and the SP and VVD has now stretched to well over 10 seats.

The Telegraaf points out on Wednesday that neither the SP or VVD took part in an election debate in Utrecht on Tuesday evening, angering the other parties. PVV leader Geert Wilders was not there either.

'Voters must realise these parties have no message to get across,' Arie Slob, leader of the ChristenUnie told the paper.

GroenLinks leader Jolande Sap said the decision by Mark Rutte and Emile Roemer not to attend is arrogant.

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