In an unprecedented turn of events, the Dutch general election has resulted in a deadlock between the far-right Party for Freedom and the centrist D66 party, with both securing 26 seats in the 150-seat parliament. The final vote count, published by the Dutch national news agency ANP, revealed this historic tie, marking the first time in Dutch electoral history that two parties have finished neck-and-neck. This outcome is expected to significantly delay the formation of a new coalition government, a process that could take weeks or even months given the fragmented political landscape. The election has drawn comparisons to other tight races globally, such as the 2000 U.S. presidential election and recent close contests in Poland, Portugal, and Ireland. The Dutch political system, known for its coalition-based governance, now faces a challenging period of negotiation and compromise to establish a stable government.
The Dutch election is tied, joining a list of memorable close contests. Here are a few others
