Neck-and-neck finish in Dutch election as Wilders' far-right party and centrist D66 tie

Geert Wilders’ far-right party and centrist D66 each won 26 seats in the Dutch election, the first-ever tie for the largest party position.

Mainstream parties have vowed to exclude Wilders’ Party for Freedom from coalition talks, potentially making the tie result irrelevant to his government formation prospects.

The vote reflects deep polarization in the Netherlands, marked by violence at anti-immigration rallies and surging support for other right-wing populist parties.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom and the centrist D66 were tied with nearly all votes counted Thursday in the Dutch general election in an unprecedented neck-and-neck race to become the biggest party.

The near-total count tallied and published by Dutch national n