Netherlands election: Mark Rutte claims fourth term with 'overwhelming' victory

Exit polls suggest the prime minister's VVD party increased its share of seats as it won a national ballot seen as referendum on handling of Covid crisis

Mark Rutte has claimed an overwhelming" victory in national elections in the Netherlands, vowing to use a fourth term in office to rebuild the country after the coronavirus pandemic.

Following a dull campaign fought during the pandemic and seen as a referendum on the government's performance during the crisis, exit polls suggested the VVD had won 35 of the Dutch parliaments 150 seats, two more than in the previous election.