Politics and Elections in the Netherlands: Rutte III era

[Estrella]

the netherlands should raise the threshold to 5%

No it should not, as the current threshold ensures a variety of representation in a deeply pillarised society.

Hasn't been like that for a couple decades now, which is exactly the problem. In the era of pillarization, you could have a dozen parties in parliament and the system would still handle it because every party's support was stable and everyone knew what to expect.

Anyway, 5% wouldn't solve anything. The problem isn't small parties getting in with 0.x% of the vote; it's the overabundance of mid-sized parties that have no other option but to govern with the sole major party; but that party, unlike the old CDA, isn't centrist and you end up with ideologically incoherent coalitions and compromises that make all sides dissatisfied.

[Estrella]

the netherlands should raise the threshold to 5%

No it should not, as the current threshold ensures a variety of representation in a deeply pillarised society.

Hasn't been like that for a couple decades now, which is exactly the problem. In the era of pillarization, you could have a dozen parties in parliament and the system would still handle it because every party's support was stable and everyone knew what to expect.

Anyway, 5% wouldn't solve anything. The problem isn't small parties getting in with 0.x% of the vote; it's the overabundance of mid-sized parties that have no other option but to govern with the sole major party; but that party, unlike the old CDA, isn't centrist and you end up with ideologically incoherent coalitions and compromises that make all sides dissatisfied.

Rutte III though I think most would have been satisfied with their term up until Corona and the benefits scandal, with the possible exception of D66 voters who abandoned them. I'm not sure what those PvdA --> D66 voters expected though.

On that note: what has Rutte III actually done?

[Estrella]

Today, local elections take place in 4 municipalities that will soon merge. Two in Noord-Brabant: Uden and Landerd will form the municipality of Maashorst; Boxmeer, Cuijk, Sint Anthonis, Mill en Sint Hubert, and Grave will form Land van Cuijk. These municipalities both have a semi-rural character, with Cuijk being an "exurb" for Nijmegen with quite some of commuters and Uden being a town with some sort of a regional function. And in Noord-Holland, Langedijk and Heerhugowaard will form Dijk en Waard; Purmerend will annex the Beemster. Dijk en Waard is also semi-suburban, Purmerend is a working class satellite town for Amsterdam but will now also incorporate the very rural Beemster, in which the VVD tended to have one of its best results nationally. Like in the general election, early voting was possible on Monday and Tuesday. Polling stations close at 9 PM.

What's behind the Dutch obsession with making municipalities bigger and bigger? I like the idea and think more countries should adopt it, but it's gotten to the point where it seems just pointless.