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.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

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.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast

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.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

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.

 Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

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.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

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.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

On this episode of the Poldercast, we head out from the political centre in the west and into the rest of the country to look at the issues and dynamics that set the agenda in different regions of the Netherlands. Differences in demographics, cultural context and political representation mean that, even in a small country, what matters locally often ends up shaping the national debate.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

In this episode we’ll discuss the legacy of the assassinated Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, tracing his influence to two populist parties active today - Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV), and the Forum for Democracy led by Thierry Baudet. We’ll look into the main points of difference between these two parties, and explore some of the controversies that have surrounded these parties since their founding.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

The Netherlands is a famously secular country, and yet the last government consisted of not just one, but two Christian parties. The continued staying power of Christian parties in the fragmented political landscape begs the question: What role does Christianity still play in Dutch politics today? And how do these parties manage to punch above their weight to set the agenda?


Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast 

Once a political powerhouse, the Dutch Labour party PVDA is losing voters to both left and right and is struggling to keep its status as a major political force on the left. Instead, 3 different flavours of left: socialist, labour and green are now fighting for dominance. This episode of the Poldercast will look for an explanation for the decline of the Dutch Labour Party and will discuss if merging is a viable option for the 3 left wing parties, who currently have a combined number of just 34 seats in the polls in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands.

Facebook @thepoldercast / instagram @thepoldercast / twitter @thepoldercast