The Dutch parliament has entered a four-week recess ahead of the general election on 29 October, bringing regular debates and votes to a halt while MPs hit the campaign trail.

The chamber sat until just after midnight on Thursday, voting on more than 50 subjects ranging from digitalisation strategy and academic freedom to tax reform and interference by foreign powers.

MPs submitted hundreds of motions in a last effort to influence the outgoing cabinet and to show voters, often via social media, where they stand.

Several MPs celebrated small victories. Kees van der Staaij leader of the fundamentalist Protestant SGP, said he was pleased that the Netherlands will argue in Brussels against designating abortion as a human right.

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And MPs also forced a rethink on plans by finance minister Eelco Heinen, who  promised to amend changes to the labour tax credit (arbeidskorting) which would have hit part-time workers earning less than the minimum wage.

Nevertheless, no-one knows how many of the adopted motions will be acted upon, since the new parliament will decide priorities after the election.

Campaigning will intensify in the coming weeks, with party leaders mainly reserved for televised and radio debates.

The first major debate is scheduled for 10 October on Radio 1, featuring all parties currently in parliament, followed two days later by an RTL debate between the PVV, GroenLinks-PvdA, VVD and CDA.

Parliament will briefly reconvene on 16 October for a debate ahead of the European Council summit. The outgoing chamber will then dissolve, with the new parliament due to be installed on November 12.