Q&A: Netherlands election

BBC News Online examines the main issues behind an election which was thrust into the spotlight by the assassination of one of its key contenders.

Why was there so much attention on the election?

For decades, stability and co-operation between parties characterised Dutch politics. Extensive media coverage of elections outside the Netherlands was rare.

But the rise and then assassination of populist anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn focused attention on the country.

His flamboyant style had transformed a political scene perceived by many people as dull, while his major theme - immigration - had become a major election issue.

Some analysts viewed the Netherlands election as a barometer for the wider debate on immigration and national identity across Europe - especially as it came so soon after the French presidential election which was also dominated by the issue.

How does the Dutch electoral system work?

The Netherlands has used proportional representation (PR) since 1917. The highly-complicated Dutch system normally produces coalition governments.

The percentage of votes cast is directly proportional to the number of seats held.

The entire country is effectively one constituency. Once elected, an MP represents the whole country.

However, candidates are listed by district. The lists are "open", allowing voters to choose a particular candidate as well as a particular party.

Once the total number of votes for the country is known, the figure is divided by the number of seats in the parliament - 150 - giving a quota figure required for one seat.

The votes for each party are then divided by this quota amount. Any leftover votes which do not reach the quota are subject to a separate proportional system which allocates the remaining seats.

Who were the main contenders?

The Netherlands' largest parties in the old coalition were the centre-left Labour Party, (PvdA), the centre-right Christian Democrat Party (CDA) the Liberal Conservative party (VVD) and the reformist D66 party.

These parties struggled to galvanise public support in recent campaigns.

In contrast, the anti-immigration Livable Netherlands Party - led by Pim Fortuyn - made a big impression in municipal elections in Rotterdam in March.

Before his death, Mr Fortuyn's offshoot party - Pim Fortuyn List - was predicted to win up to 17% of the national vote.

Mr Fortuyn's name remained on the voting papers because his death came after the ballot slips had been printed.

What were the key issues?

Pim Fortuyn's key theme of immigration came to dominate the election agenda.

In the months before his death, Mr Fortuyn's combination of anti-immigration policies, anti-Islamic rhetoric, and reform of public services appeared popular to significant numbers of Dutch voters.

Some analysts predicted that a powerful factor would be voter disillusionment with a political system they increasingly perceive as not reflecting their interests and concerns.

They argued that many Dutch voters simply wanted a change from being governed by multi-party coalitions.

Were there any parallels with the French election?

A shock result on the scale of the first round success of far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen in France was never expected in the Netherlands.

However Pim Fortuyn List has still come second behind the leading party, the right-wing Christian Democrats.

Analysts correctly predicted that the rise of anti-immigration parties in the Netherlands would be reflected in growing support for right-wing parties.

Voter apathy was considered a key factor in the level of support Le Pen attracted.

Political commentators suggest that decades of political stability in both France and the Netherlands has created a political establishment perceived to be out of touch with the views of ordinary people.

They point to the emergence of populist figures such as Le Pen and Fortuyn as proof that more voters are seemingly tired of traditional party politics.

Mr Fortuyn detested comparisons with the French far-right leader.

However, both men appear to have succeeded in turning fears over immigration and EU enlargement into votes.

How did the murder of Pim Fortuyn affect the vote?

The murder of Mr Fortuyn rocked the country.

Before the election, correspondents predicted that his death might spark a sympathy vote.

The party has done well, but it is hard to say how much the murder affected the overall election result.

In the longer term it is unclear whether the party will fare as well without its charismatic leader.