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Preliminary result of Dutch provincial elections confirmed

Xinhua, March 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

The final result of the Dutch provincial elections on March 18 was no different from the preliminary result, the Dutch Electoral Council stated on Monday.

Due to the fact that the members of the provincial councils are going to elect the members of the senate on May 26 this year, the outcome was also of national interest. To pass law reforms, a majority is needed in both houses of the parliament, in the house of representatives, or 'de Tweede Kamer,' and the senate, or 'de Eerste Kamer.'

The government coalition of VVD (Liberals) and PvdA (Labor), led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, lost their majority in the senate, which they had together with the supporting parties D66 (Democrats), ChristenUnie and SGP (Christian parties). The five parties now have 36 of the 75 available seats. With the minority in the senate the government needs to look for at least one new partner to get new bills approved.

The VVD maintained its position as the biggest party in the provinces (and therefore the future senate), but lost three seats, from 16 to 13 seats in the senate. The PvdA was the biggest loser, dropping from 14 to 8 in the senate. Endit