Last week’s comedy routine by prime minister Mark Rutte at a black-tie dinner for journalists and television celebrities has boosted his political support, according to a new poll by Maurice de Hond.

Rutte’s VVD has risen from 18 to 20 seats in the latest De Hond poll, meaning the party would take up to 13.3% of the vote if there were a general election tomorrow.

Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration PVV and the Christian Democrats have both lost one seat in the De Hond poll. However, the PVV still remains far ahead of the rest on 27.3%.

Success

Some 2.7 million people tuned in to watch the first Dutch Correspondents’ Dinner, based on the annul event involving the US president and Washington press corps.

However, unlike its US counterpart, the Dutch event did not include any award presentations and did not raise money for charity. Nor was it restricted to members of the press.

While Rutte’s own personal standing also rose 0.4% following the event, some 20% of those polled said it was inappropriate for the prime minister to take part in such a show, De Hond said.

Writers from American comedy company Boom Chicago were involved in writing Rutte’s script.