A record 37 parties are contesting the March general election

In total, a record 37 different parties will contest the March general election, the Dutch electoral council confirmed on Friday. At the last general election in 2017, there were 28 party names on the ballot box.

The list includes the 13 parties currently represented in parliament and a host of more established fringe groups and new arrivals.

Polls suggest two of the new parties – Bij1 and JA21 – both have a chance of winning at least one seat in the March 17 vote.

Four parties which had originally put forward plans did not make the final list because they had failed to collect enough supporting signatures, the council said.