Poldercast: The Dutch Politics Podcast Poldercast

Over the past weeks, the political crisis in the Netherlands has continued to get worse, and the ongoing storm of new incidents is making the path to forming a new government increasingly difficult. On this Poldercast, we take stock of the story so far, and try to look for ways out of this political no man’s land.

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After the negotiations to form a new government collapsed before they properly began, discussion mainly revolved around Mark Rutte and his future as the leader of the country. But the leaked memo also ignited a much broader debate on the relationship between parliament and government, and the extent to which the opposition can play its role as a check on the coalition. So on this week’s Poldercast, we take a break from those in government to look at those meant to control it, as we discuss dualism in Dutch Politics.

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Pieter Omtzigt, Position Elsewhere. These four words, noted down in a leaked confidential memo, may very well bring an end to the political career of prime minister Mark Rutte. A relatively minor incident escalated and led the newly elected parliament to launch an attack on the norms and procedures of coalition-building and on the conduct of Mark Rutte himself. As the country picks up the pieces, The Poldercast examines how a straight-forward election instead turned into a debate on political culture in the Netherlands and a reckoning that may mean an end to Rutte’s decade in power.

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Now the votes have been counted, the Poldercast digs into the results to take a closer look at what the outcome means for the Dutch political landscape.

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Early voting has started, and the elections are almost here. On this week's Poldercast, we run through the twists and turns of the last few weeks, look ahead to the likely outcomes, and make some bold predictions on what will happen once the votes are cast.

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With the elections just around the corner, the Poldercast wraps up the remaining parties that currently sit in Parliament - DENK, Party for the Animals and 50PLUS - says goodbye to those are unlikely to return, and looks at some the more credible contenders that may make it in - JA21, Bij1 and Volt.

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