The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte — in power since 2010 and one of Europe’s longest serving leaders — is expected to emerge as head of his fourth coalition government owing to his steady handling of the pandemic.
The Netherlands begins three days of voting March 15 in a primary test of a European government’s coronavirus policies, with Prime Minister Mark Rutte set to win another term in office.
With the country under its tightest COVID-19 restrictions including an overnight curfew, polling stations will open mainly for at-risk people on March 15 and 16 before the main election day on March 17.
Police used water cannon to break up anti-Rutte protests on the eve of voting, and riots against the introduction of the country’s first curfew since World War II rocked the Netherlands in January.
But, Mr. Rutte — in power since 2010 and one of Europe’s longest serving leaders — is expected to emerge as head of his fourth coalition government owing to his steady…