Netherlands: Historic vote in the shadow of anti-lockdown riots

The vote is viewed by some as a referendum on the government’s management of the coronavirus crisis.

The Hague, Netherlands – For the first time since a controversial curfew was implemented in the Netherlands on January 23, the much-discussed lockdown measure is being partially suspended to allow people to vote in general elections this week. These are the first parliamentary elections in Western Europe since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the health crisis has dominated the campaign. There are also other firsts, given the nature of the pandemic.