Netherlands launches four-day EU elections across 27 Nations

The Netherlands has launched four days of European Union elections across 27 nations, initiating a significant democratic process likely to spotlight the emergence of hard-right parties, as reported by The Washington Post.

Polling has begun in the Netherlands, marking the start of four days of voting in European Union parliamentary elections across all 27 member states. Estonia has already started its voting period, spanning six days from Monday onwards, but the Netherlands is notable for commencing its singleday vote so early among EU countries.

Ireland will follow suit on Friday, with the rest of the EU nations participating over the weekend. The results of the elections will be announced on Sunday night, culminating in a Europe-wide revelation after all member states have completed voting, as reported by The Washington Post.

The Dutch voting process comes six months after Geert Wilders' far-right Party for Freedom made significant strides in the Dutch national parliament, sending shockwaves across Europe. Current polling suggests that Wilders will continue to capitalise on this momentum, potentially setting a trend for the broader European political landscape.

In the aftermath of the previous EU elections five years ago, populist, farright, and extremist parties have gained prominence in several EU nations. They now either lead governments in three EU countries or are part of governing coalitions in others, indicating a surge in public support across the continent.