Newcomer Is Poised to Be Next Premier
THE NETHERLANDS
A political newcomer was poised to become prime minister after a dramatic shift to the right in elections that swamped the socialists.
The outcome was a severe defeat for Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok’s liberal coalition, which brought steady growth since 1994 but was punished for ignoring concerns about immigration, welfare abuse and crime.
With 88.6% of the vote counted, Jan Peter Balkenende’s Christian Democrats had won 43 seats-- a gain of 15 in the 150-member lower house of parliament.
The upstart party of slain anti-immigration populist Pim Fortuyn--Pim Fortuyn’s List--swept into the legislature with 26 seats.
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