2024 European Parliament election in the Netherlands explained

Election Name:2024 European Parliament election in the Netherlands
Country:Netherlands
Type:parliamentary
Previous Election:2019
Previous Year:2019
Next Election:2029
Next Year:2029
Seats For Election:31 Netherlands seats in the European Parliament
Election Date:6 June 2024
Turnout:46.2%
Leader1:Bas Eickhout
Party1:GroenLinks–PvdA
Last Election1:9
Seats1:8
Percentage1:21.1
Leader2:Sebastiaan Stöteler
Party2:Party for Freedom
Last Election2:0
Seats2:6
Percentage2:17.0
Leader3:Malik Azmani
Party3:People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Last Election3:4
Seats3:4
Percentage3:11.3
Leader4:Tom Berendsen
Party4:Christian Democratic Appeal
Last Election4:4
Seats4:3
Percentage4:9.5
Leader5:Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy
Party5:Democrats 66
Last Election5:2
Seats5:3
Percentage5:8.4
Leader6:Sander Smit
Party6:Farmer–Citizen Movement
Last Election6:New
Seats6:2
Percentage6:5.4
Leader7:Reinier van Lanschot
Party7:Volt Netherlands
Last Election7:0
Seats7:2
Percentage7:5.1
Leader8:Anja Hazekamp
Party8:Party for the Animals
Last Election8:1
Seats8:1
Percentage8:4.5
Leader9:Dirk Gotink
Party9:New Social Contract
Last Election9:New
Seats9:1
Percentage9:3.7
Leader10:Bert-Jan Ruissen
Party10:Reformed Political Party
Last Election10:1
Seats10:1
Percentage10:3.7

The 2024 European Parliament election in the Netherlands was held on 6 June 2024 as part of the 2024 European Parliament election. It was the tenth time the elections have been held for the European elections in the Netherlands, and the first to take place after Brexit.

Left-wing GroenLinks–PvdA retained its plurality, winning eight seats. The right-wing populist Party for Freedom saw the largest increase in seats, going from zero to six compared to the previous election.

Electoral system

Apportionment

See also: Apportionment in the European Parliament. Compared to last election, Netherlands is entitled to five more MEPs: three already assigned in 2020 in the occasion of the redistribution post Brexit, and two assigned in 2023 after a pre-election assessment of the Parliament composition based on the most recent population figures.[1] The 31 members are elected through semi-open list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency with seats allocated through D'Hondt method. Parties that do not reach a full Hare quota are ineligible to receive remainder seats, meaning there is an effective electoral threshold of around 3.23%.[2] [3]

Electoral law

Both Dutch nationals and EU citizens residing in the Netherlands are entitled to vote in the European elections in the Netherlands. No voter registration is needed for EU nationals (including Dutch citizens) residing within the country, but they do need to be registered as a resident in their municipality on 23 April 2024. Dutch citizen residing abroad are required to register as "Dutch voter abroad" in the municipality of The Hague. In addition, those eligible to vote must turn 18 years old by election day at the latest.[4]

The seats won by a list are first allocated to the candidates who, in preferential votes, have received at least 10% of the Hare quota (effectively a tenth of a seat or 0.32% of the total votes), regardless of their placement on the electoral list. If multiple candidates from a list pass this threshold, their ordering is determined based on the number of votes received. Any remaining seats are allocated to candidates according to their position on the electoral list.[5]

Contesting parties

Party! scope="col"
European PartyGroup2019 resultTop candidate
GL/PvdAEGP / PESGreens-EFA / S&D29.9Bas Eickhout[7]
VVDPeople's Party for Freedom and DemocracyALDERE14.6Malik Azmani[8]
CDAChristian Democratic AppealEPPEPP12.2Tom Berendsen[9]
FvDForum for DemocracyNI11.0Ralf Dekker
D66Democrats 66ALDERE7.1Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy[10]
CUChristian UnionECPMEPP6.8Anja Haga[11]
SGPReformed Political PartyECPMECRBert-Jan Ruissen[12]
PvdDParty for the AnimalsAPEUGUE/NGL4.0Anja Hazekamp[13]
50+50PLUSEDPRE3.9Adriana Hernández[14]
PVVParty for FreedomIDID3.5Sebastiaan Stöteler[15]
SPSocialist Party3.4[16]
VoltVolt NetherlandsVoltGreens-EFA1.9Reinier van Lanschot[17]
PP–DGPPEU0.4Matthijs Pontier
VDRvandeRegioEFA0.2Sent Wierda
BBBFarmer–Citizen MovementSander Smit[18]
BVNLInterest of the NetherlandsWybren van Haga[19]
JA21JA21ECRMichiel Hoogeveen[20]
MDDMore Direct DemocracyECRDorien Rookmaker
NLPLANNederland met een PlanKok Chan
NSCNew Social ContractDirk Gotink

Campaign

Newspaper NRC wrote that the election campaign was overshadowed by the conclusion of the 2023–2024 cabinet formation and that it only gained momentum in the week prior. Polling by Ipsos I&O showed that name recognition of the lead candidates barely increased during the campaign.[21]

On election day, CDA, PVV, and FVD reported that their websites had been hit by denial-of-service attacks, and pro-Russian hacker group HackNeT claimed responsibility.[22]

Debates

The NOS organized a television debate the day before the election. The lead candidates of the nine biggest parties in the November 2023 general election and in the polls – PVV, GroenLinks–PvdA, VVD, CDA, SP, D66, NSC, Volt, and BBB – participated. Anja Haga (Christian Union) and Anja Hazekamp (PvdD), who did not qualify, debated each other the same day in De Balie.[23]

Opinion polling

See also: Opinion polling for the 2024 European Parliament election.

Seats

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample
size
TotalVVD
CDA
FvD
D66
SGP
CU
PvdD
50PLUS
PVV
SP
Volt
BBB
NSC
LeadRef
PvdA
GL
data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"
Ipsos31843031010701211[24]
Peil.nl3184212101080211Tie[25]
Ipsos2,0303185202001081112Tie[26]
Ipsos2,04831852020000912111[27]
I&O Research2,14131742021010912112[28]
Peil.nl3185212001081111Tie[29]
I&O Research2,1023184212110081201Tie
Peil.nl3185212001081111Tie[30]
I&O Research2,18231752031010811111
I&O Research1,586317520210101002103
Ipsos1,89031652020010912123
2019 election23 May 2019296354422111001

Vote share

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample
size
VVD
CDA
FvD
D66
SGP
CU
PvdD
50PLUS
PVV
SP
Volt
JA21
BBB
NSC
OthersLeadRef
PvdA
GL
data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;"
Ipsos21.6%11.6%9.7%2.5%8.1%3.4%2.7%4.4%0.8%17.7%2.0%4.9%5.3%3.8%1.7%3.9%[31]
Ipsos2,03019.5%13.8%6.1%2.7%7.1%2.4%2.7%3.6%0.6%21.3%3.6%4.4%4.0%5.0%3.3%1.8%[32]
Ipsos2,04820.3%12.5%5.3%3.2%6.4%2.3%3.0%3.1%0.6%22.7%3.2%6.3%3.9%4.7%2.5%2.4%[33]
I&O Research2,14119.3%10.9%5.7%2.9%7.1%3.8%3.0%4.5%23.0%3.3%5.9%1.4%4.4%3.5%1.4%3.7%
I&O Research2,10221.3%11.8%5.8%3.6%6.8%3.8%3.3%3.2%22.5%3.4%5.4%0.8%3.2%3.5%1.8%1.2%
I&O Research2,18218.7%12.6%5.4%3.1%7.8%3.3%3.0%4.6%22.0%3.6%4.7%1.1%4.3%4.2%1.6%3.3%[34]
I&O Research1,58618.6%14.1%5.5%3.0%7.0%3.8%3.1%4.0%25.1%2.9%5.2%1.0%3.9%3.1%6.5%[35]
Ipsos1,89016.0%12.7%5.6%2.3%6.0%2.6%2.4%3.7%22.4%3.2%4.9%4.5%4.7%8.8%6.4%[36]
Portland53517%12%5%2%5%3%1%3%1%25%3%3%2%4%12%2%8%[37]
2019 election23 May 201919.0%10.9%14.6%12.2%11.0%7.1%6.8%4.0%3.9%3.5%3.4%1.9%1.6%4.4%

Results

With most votes counted, GroenLinks–PvdA managed to retain its plurality despite losing one of its nine seats compared to the 2019 election, when GroenLinks and PvdA participated separately. The Party for Freedom, which had won the November 2023 general election, was the biggest winner, going from zero to six seats. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) came in third with four seats. Forum for Democracy, 50PLUS, and the Christian Union, which no longer participated on a shared list with the Reformed Political Party, lost their seats, while the Farmer–Citizen Movement (2), Volt Netherlands (2), and New Social Contract (1) won representation for the first time. Other parties that secured seats were the Christian Democratic Appeal (3), Democrats 66 (3), the Party for the Animals (1), and the Reformed Political Party (1).[38] [39]

Voter turnout was at 46.2%, the highest it had been since 1989.[40] [41] Polling firm Ipsos I&O concluded that of those who had voted for New Social Contract and the Party for Freedom in the November 2023 general election, 59% and 56%, respectively, did not turn out in the European Parliament election. This was 22% for GroenLinks–PvdA.[42]

European groups

Following the election, the PVV switched its affiliation from Identity and Democracy to the newly founded Patriots for Europe group, and newcomers NSC and BBB were admitted into the European People's Party Group.[43] [44]

By province

Results by province[45]
ProvinceGL-
PvdA
PVVVVDCDAD66BBBVoltPvdDNSCSGPCUFvDSPOthers
20.418.510.29.96.19.93.33.54.61.73.83.02.52.5
16.721.211.37.66.56.53.34.13.66.34.03.62.33.1
20.216.98.212.26.39.13.23.54.02.06.33.32.42.4
20.515.810.39.97.46.84.54.03.86.93.82.22.02.3
27.413.77.87.87.76.05.05.73.51.84.82.63.82.3
17.124.410.116.06.75.13.73.63.80.20.52.92.53.3
19.119.413.711.68.95.35.03.63.60.90.92.22.73.2
26.014.912.26.210.43.87.16.62.90.61.22.72.33.1
16.515.99.210.85.811.13.72.97.75.34.92.31.72.0
20.118.012.58.49.03.05.34.73.35.13.12.62.02.8
25.212.511.38.110.63.26.95.33.14.53.81.81.62.2
15.016.910.110.65.08.02.43.13.015.53.52.72.02.5
37.88.97.83.424.51.62.62.01.10.52.82.80.93.3
Postal voters abroad31.59.313.14.213.42.08.94.92.61.11.63.31.52.5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-09-13 . 2024 European elections: 15 additional seats divided between 12 countries News European Parliament . 2023-12-04 . www.europarl.europa.eu . en.
  2. Web site: Oelbermann . Kai Friederike . Pukelsheim . Friedrich . July 2020 . The European Elections of May 2019 . europarl.europa.eu . 14.
  3. Web site: Zetelverdeling over partijen . Kiesraad.nl . Dutch . 24 May 2024.
  4. Web site: How to vote in Netherlands . 25 January 2024 . European Parliament.
  5. News: Proef met kleinere stembiljetten: twee vakjes rood maken in plaats van één . 11 March 2024 . Keultjes . Hanneke . 11 March 2024 . nl . . Pilot with smaller ballots: Making two circles red instead of one .
  6. Web site: Kiesdrempel, kiesdeler en voorkeurdrempel . kiesraad.nl . nl . 8 June 2024.

    Five municipalities – Alphen aan den Rijn, Midden-Delfland, Boekel, Borne, and Tynaarlo – will have a pilot to test an A3-size ballot, smaller than ones used in prior elections. The revised ballot would not list all candidate names and would instead ask voters to select the candidate number regardless of party. If successful, it is planned to be used nationwide starting with the 2026 municipal elections.[5]

  7. Web site: Bas Eickhout gekozen tot Europese lijsttrekker GroenLinks-PvdA . 30 January 2024 . 30 January 2024 . GroenLinks/PvdA.
  8. Web site: Azmani kandidaatlijsttrekker VVD bij Europese verkiezingen 2024 . 2 November 2023 . 25 January 2024 . Parlament.com.
  9. Web site: Tom Berendsen lijsttrekker Europeseverkiezingen . 2 September 2023 . 25 January 2024 . CDA.
  10. News: Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy wordt lijsttrekker D66 bij Europese Parlementsverkiezingen . 27 September 2023 . 25 January 2024 . NRC . Ven . Liam van de .
  11. Web site: Anja Haga uit Dokkum wordt nieuwe Europarlementariër ChristenUnie . 30 June 2023 . 25 January 2024 . Omrop Fryslan.
  12. Web site: SGP presenteert brede lijst voor Europese verkiezingen . 19 June 2023 . 30 January 2024 . SGP.
  13. Web site: Partij voor de Dieren draagt Europarlementariër Anja Hazekamp opnieuw voor als lijsttrekker voor EU-verkiezingen . 11 December 2023 . 30 January 2024 . Partij voor de Dieren.
  14. Web site: Adriana Hernandez unaniem gekozen tot lijsttrekker 50plus bij eu verkiezingen . 20 April 2024. 24 April 2024 . 50PLUS.
  15. Web site: PVV KANDIDATENLIJST EUROPEES PARLEMENT 2024 . 5 April 2024 . 5 April 2024 . Party for Freedom.
  16. Web site: Gerrie Elfrink voorgedragen als SP-lijsttrekker Europese verkiezingen . 21 December 2023 . 25 January 2024 . Socialist Party.
  17. Web site: Van Lanschot weer Volt-lijsttrekker voor Europese verkiezingen . 23 September 2023 . 25 January 2024 . Nederlands Dagblad.
  18. Web site: Sander Smit (ex-CDA) lijsttrekker BBB bij Europese verkiezingen . 15 December 2023 . Parlament.com.
  19. Web site: BVNL doet mee met de Europese Parlementsverkiezingen . 21 March 2024 . 28 March 2024 . BVNL.
  20. Web site: Europese Verkiezingen: Michiel Hoogeveen kandidaat-lijsttrekker JA21 . 2 February 2024 . 28 March 2024 . JA21.
  21. News: De Europese verkiezingsuitslag zal aan het Binnenhof vooral gezien worden als populariteitsmeting van de nieuwe coalitie . subscription . 6 June 2024 . Van den Dool . Pim . 6 June 2024 . nl . . The European election results will mainly be considered as a popularity test for the new coalition .
  22. News: Websites politieke partijen aangevallen door hackers . 6 June 2024 . 6 June 2024 . nl . . Attack on websites of political parties by hackers .
  23. News: Orbán, klimaat en 'meer of minder Europa' in opvallend inhoudelijk NOS-slotdebat . subscription . 5 June 2024 . 6 June 2024 . nl . . Orbán, climate, and 'more or less' Europe in remarkably substantial NOS closing debate .
  24. Web site: Definitieve exitpoll: grote winst PVV, nek aan nek met GroenLinks-PvdA. 6 June 2024. nos.nl. 7 June 2024.
  25. Web site: Prognose uitslag Europese Parlementsverkiezingen 2024. 5 June 2024. Peil.nl. Maurice de. Hond.
  26. Web site: 2024-06-06 . PVV en GroenLinks-PvdA even groot in laatste zetelpeiling voor Europese verkiezingen . EenVandaag . nl.
  27. Web site: 2024-05-28 . PVV en GroenLinks-PvdA bovenaan in Europese zetelpeiling, meerdere partijen verliezen hun zetels . EenVandaag . nl.
  28. Web site: 2024-05-22 . EP-verkiezingen sterk landelijk gekleurd . ioresearch.nl . nl.
  29. Web site: De electorale reacties op het hoofdlijnen-akkoord . 18 May 2024. Peil.nl. Wekelijkse peiling zetelverdeling. Maurice de. Hond.
  30. Web site: Winst PVV neemt iets af . 4 May 2024. Peil.nl. Wekelijkse peiling zetelverdeling. Maurice de. Hond.
  31. XandervdWulp . 1798801453311783029 . Def exitpoll.
  32. Web site: 2024-05-06 . Slotpeiling Ipsos I&O Europese Verkiezingen: PVV en GL-PvdA nog steeds gelijk aan kop . ipsos.com . nl.
  33. Web site: 2024-05-30 . Peiling EP: PVV en GL-PvdA lijken grootste te worden . ipsos.com . nl.
  34. Web site: 2024-04-23 . EP-verkiezingen: opgeven Nexit schaadt PVV nauwelijks . ioresearch.nl . nl.
  35. Web site: 2024-03-28 . EP-verkiezingen: lijsttrekkers en fracties nagenoeg onbekend. ioresearch.nl . nl.
  36. Web site: 2024-03-19 . Européennes : vers une progression de la droite radicale au Parlement européen ? . 19 . ipsos.com . fr.
  37. Web site: EUPoll: All Countries. 12 February 2024. Portland Communications.
  38. News: GL-PvdA met acht zetels grootste, PVV tweede partij met zes zetels . 9 June 2024 . 10 June 2024 . nl . . GL/PvdA the biggest with eight seats, PVV second with six seats .
  39. News: Nederlandse stemmen bijna allemaal geteld: GroenLinks-PvdA op acht zetels, de PVV naar zes . subscription . 10 June 2024 . Du Pré . Raoul . 10 June 2024 . nl . . Dutch votes almost counted: GroenLinks–PvdA at eight seats, the PVV to six .
  40. News: Uitslagen Europees Parlement 2024 . 10 June 2024 . 10 June 2024 . nl . . Results European Parliament 2024 .
  41. News: Hoogste opkomst voor Europese verkiezingen sinds 1989 . 6 June 2024 . 11 June 2024 . nl . . Highest European Parliament election turnout since 1989 .
  42. News: Groot deel kiezers coalitiepartijen bleef thuis bij Europese verkiezingen . 6 June 2024 . 7 June 2024 . nl . . Many voters for coalition parties did not turn out in the European Parliament election .
  43. News: PVV kiest in Europarlement voor nieuwe alliantie van Hongaarse premier Orbán . 5 July 2024 . 9 November 2024 . nl . . PVV chooses for new alliance of Hungarian prime minister Orbán in European Parliament .
  44. News: Groen licht voor aansluiting BBB en NSC bij Europese Volkspartij in Brussel . 18 June 2024 . 9 November 2024 . Slomp . Priscilla . nl . . Go-ahead for BBB and NSC to join European People's Party Group in Brussels .
  45. https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/EP20240606/ Dutch Electoral Council