Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte looks likely to form a coalition between his Conservatives and the Labour party after a major election victory seen as confirmation of voters’ support for the European Union.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has claimed victory for his conservative VVD party in national elections widely seen as a referendum on the Netherlands’ commitment to Europe.

Dutch voters are going to the polls to elect a new parliament in a test of whether they have the stomach to continue with stringent austerity measures.