New Dutch anti-immigration party surges in election days after Utrecht shooting

The centre-right government in the Netherlands has lost its majority in the senate after voters flocked to a new populist party two days after a terrorist attack in Utrecht.

The anti-immigration Forum for Democracy party (FrD) is on course to win the most votes, and first estimates based on 60 per cent of votes cast showed the new party will become the joint largest in the senate, level with prime minister Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD Party.

If confirmed, the result would mean that Mr Rutte’s coalition will need to seek outside support to pass legislation.

Pollsters had predicted Mr Rutte’s centre-right coalition would lose its senate majority. But experts, including pollster Maurice de Hond, said the Utrecht attack, which killed three people, appeared to boost turnout most among opponents of immigration.

Mr Rutte’s VVD is forecast to fall to 12 seats, from 13 in the 75-member senate, and his coalition as a whole will fall from 38 seats to 31.

The Forum for Democracy is estimated to take 12 seats. The country’s Electoral Council will publish the final results on 25 March.

The senate, the upper house of Dutch parliament, is responsible for reviewing measures passed by the more powerful lower house.

Following the lead of US President Donald Trump, FrD leader Thierry Baudet opposes immigration and emphasises “Dutch first” cultural and economic themes.

Mr Baudet shocked establishment parties by saying the Utrecht attack was the result of lax government immigration policies. Others suspended campaigning.

Dutch prosecutors have said they will charge a 37-year-old Turkish-born man with offences including multiple murder or manslaughter with a terrorist intent.

The public prosecutor’s office in Utrecht said the suspect, identified by police as Gokmen Tanis, also faces charges of attempted murder or manslaughter and making threats with a terrorist intent.

Additional reporting from agencies