Left-leaning parties in the Netherlands are forecasted to have narrowly clinched the majority of seats in the European Parliament election, amidst the substantial growth of Geert Wilders's anti-immigration party. The Labour/Green Left alliance is expected to secure eight seats, slightly edging out Wilders's Party for Freedom (PVV) with seven seats, according to a nationwide exit poll released by broadcaster NOS. The exit poll has an approximate margin of error of one seat. The outcome signifies significant progress for Wilders post his triumph in the previous year's national election, where his party failed to obtain a seat in the preceding EU election and managed only one following a reshuffle post-Brexit. “This signals a positive shift and serves as a message to the elites in Brussels for impending changes,” Wilders conveyed to journalists in The Hague. “Many Dutch voters have indicated today that they desire a reformed European Union and advocate for a reinforced nation-state. They oppose further power transfers to Europe, advocating the contrary.” Labour leader Frans Timmermans remarked that the results underscored that leftist parties should not be discounted in this election, despite the ascent of nationalist parties across Europe. “As pro-European parties, we have demonstrated to the rest of Europe that the radical right does not have this election in the bag,” the former chief of the EU's climate sector expressed. Elections for the EU Parliament in the Netherlands initiated four days of EU parliament elections across the 27 member states of the EU. The elections epitomized the chief internal political hurdle confronting the union: the escalating appeal of nationalist and populist parties pushing for the disintegration of the EU from within. Wilders, recognized for his outspoken stance on immigration and Islam, urged a favorable outcome for nationalist parties to galvanize their collaboration in altering EU directives and restoring more authority to national legislative bodies. The Labour/Green Left alliance relinquished one seat from their 2019 performance but appeared to maintain their status as the overall largest entity post a campaign that incessantly warned about the upsurge of nationalist parties. The duo of left-wing parties contested on a united ticket but will possess separate factions in parliament following the ballot. The definitive result of the Dutch election will be disclosed post the completion of voting in all 27 member states, Sunday at 21:00 GMT. The 720-seat parliament collaborates with the 27 national governments of the EU in formulating laws governing the bloc's single market, the 1-trillion-euro ($1.09 trillion) long-term budget, fiscal regulations, and environmental preservation statutes. Opinion polls gauging voter intentions imply that the center-right is likely to amass the largest portion of seats, positioning their candidate to lead the European Commission, the incumbent Ursula von der Leyen of Germany, as the frontrunner for a second term. The new parliament will determine the EU's forthcoming seven-year budget, essential from 2028, with Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan states vying for membership.