Mark Rutte's Dutch liberals, once a dominant force, are now bleeding support.
The Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) faces a desperate fight for relevance in the national election, after a slump in the polls since the collapse of the Netherlands' Cabinet in June.
According to the latest Ipsos I&O estimates, Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party (PVV) is projected to remain the Netherlands' largest, while the center-left GreenLeft-Labor and liberal D66 parties are within striking distance.
The liberal VVD risks winning even fewer seats than in the 2023 election, casting doubt on its role in any future government.
It's not easy being a European liberal.
Author's summary: Dutch liberals face decline.