Dutch people rejected "the wrong kind of populism", Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said, as he celebrated victory in Wednesday's election. "The Netherlands said 'Whoa!'" he declared after his centre-right VVD party's lead positioned him for a third successive term as prime minister.
With nearly all votes counted, his party easily beat the anti-immigration Freedom party of Geert Wilders. Fellow eurozone countries France and Germany also face elections this year. The Dutch race was seen as a test of support for nationalist parties that have been gaining ground across Europe. Mr Wilders insisted "the patriotic spring" would still happen.
The euro gained as the results pointed to a clear victory for the prime minister's party. The Green-Left party also did well, winning 14 seats, an increase of 10.
The Labour Party (PvdA), the junior party in the governing coalition, suffered a historic defeat by winning only nine seats, a loss of 29. Labour's defeat appeared to signal voters shifting to the right, as many of the seats it lost did not go to other left-wing parties.
"All in all the left has never been smaller than this," said outgoing Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem. Turnout was 80.2%, which analysts say may have benefited pro-EU and liberal parties. The number of voters was a record 10.3 million, according to public broadcaster NOS.
"We want to stick to the course we have - safe and stable and prosperous," Mr Rutte said.
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