Elections to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Early elections to the House of Representatives will take place on Wednesday, 22 November 2023.
On voting day, the polling stations will be open from 7.30 in the morning until 21.00 in the evening. The same opening hours (local time) apply to polling stations in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Special polling stations as well as mobile polling stations may open earlier or later, and close earlier.
Budget debates and recess planning
The present House of Representatives has decided to basically leave the debate and decision-making on the 2024 budget to the newly elected MPs. However, the present members of the House may yet decide to debate particular sections of the 2024 budget before the upcoming election takes place.
To ensure that the House of Representatives has enough time at its disposal for the General Political Debate and the General Financial Debate on the Budget Memorandum as well as other debates, the autumn recess originally planned from Friday, 13 October until Monday, 23 October, was cancelled. Instead, there will be an election recess from Friday, 27 October until polling day, Wednesday, 22 November. This will allow the MPs to engage in election campaigns.
Registration and candidacy
Parties wishing to participate in the election had to register their party’s name by Monday, 28 August 2023 with the Electoral Council. No later than Monday, 9 October 2023, the participating parties have to submit their list of candidates to the Electoral Council.
Fall of the Cabinet
Holding early elections has become necessary after the fall of the sitting Cabinet Rutte IV on Friday, 7 July 2023. Until the installation of a new Cabinet, the task of the members of the current outgoing Cabinet is restricted to take care of ongoing business. The House of Representatives decides which political issues are yet to be dealt with, and which ones not. The list of the latter issues has been declared controversial by the House.