A record 89 parties register for the March 2021 general election

In Amsterdam, the election hoardings have been pre-printed. Photo: DutchNews.nl
Photo: DutchNews.nl

In total, 89 parties have registered with the national voting council for the March 17 general election, beating the previous record of 81.

The list includes 26 new party names, including the more established Lijst Henk Krol, the Islamic party Nida and Ja21, set up by former members of far right Forum voor Democratie. But the list also includes interest parties such as EVERT!, Nuchter Nederland (sober Netherlands) and Blije Burgers (happy citizens), as well as several campaigning for children’s rights.

Registration does not mean that the parties will compete in March. In order to be included on the ballot paper, parties must hand in a list of candidates and other supporting documents.

In 2017, 28 parties were eventually listed on the ballot and 13 polled 0.67% of the vote, enough to secure them representation in the 150-seat parliament. A number of MPs have changed allegiance and there are currently 15 different political groups represented in the lower house.

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