Four parties are leading the race: the liberal-conservative VVD, a new centrist party, a social democrat, and an anti-Islam lawmaker.
Rutte's fourth and final coalition resigned in July over disagreements on migration measures.
The election has been fought on domestic crises including the high cost of living, housing shortage, healthcare, and migration.
The Netherlands is holding a general election to replace Mark Rutte, the country's longest-serving prime minister.
The Netherlands is set to usher in a new era in politics as voters cast their ballots in a general election to replace Mark Rutte, the country's longest-serving prime minister. The election is part of a broader trend of unpredictable outcomes in European elections, with populist and hard-right parties gaining ground in some countries and faltering in others. The election results will require weeks or months of coalition talks between parties.
The election has been fought on domestic crises including the high cost of living, housing shortage, healthcare, and migration. Four parties are leading the race: the liberal-conservative VVD, a new centrist party, a social democrat, and an anti-Islam lawmaker. The election is unpredictable with 70% of voters yet to decide.
Rutte's fourth and final coalition resigned in July over disagreements on migration measures. Thierry Baudet, leader of the far-right Forum for Democracy, was attacked at a campaign event but was not seriously injured. The election promises a tight race and a new era in politics. A new party is among the front-runners and the Netherlands could welcome its first female prime minister.
The election is part of a broader trend of unpredictable outcomes in European elections, with populist and hard-right parties gaining ground in some countries and faltering in others.
The election results will require weeks or months of coalition talks between parties.