European elections: populists have problems in the Netherlands – exit poll



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The Dutch Labor Party PvdA of Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, is expected to win five of the 26 seats allocated to the Netherlands, according to a survey conducted at the exit of Ipsos for the public broadcaster NOS.
It's a surprise win for Timmermans, whose euroskeptic challenger Thierry Baudet – described as the "sublime new face of Dutch right-wing populism" – was leading the polls at this year's election.
Frans Timmermans, Vice President of the European Commission, delivers a speech at a campaign rally in Barcelona on 23 May 2019 ahead of the European elections.

"To all our European friends who are always campaigning, this one is for you too! Keep on! Keep believing! We can do it!" Timmermans tweeted on Friday.

The exit vote took place in 35 polling stations, where about 56,000 voters are eligible to vote, according to Ipsos. It indicates that it usually receives a participation rate of 80 to 85% and has a margin of error of 2%.

According to the exit poll, PvdA reportedly won 18% of the vote, double the number of votes cast in the 2014 European elections, while the Prime Minister's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), 15%, Forum for democracy Baudet, from the far right, finished third with 11%.

Members of the Labor Party (PvdA) celebrate after the election results are announced.
CNN affiliate NOS also reported that the participation rate was the highest in 30 years.
The European elections are a pivotal moment for voters who choose between unity and rupture

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands went to the polls on Thursday to determine the future direction of the EU, with the remaining countries voting Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The elections were described as a pivotal moment for the European Union in the face of the threat of nationalists and populists across the continent and the lengthy Brexit process that continues to dominate the political agenda.

The official results will be announced late Sunday after the closing of the polls in the EU.

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