Dutch PM Mark Rutte’s conservative party sees fourth straight election win

Mark Rutte’s party has powered to a fourth consecutive election victory (Eva Plevier/AP)

The process of forming a new Dutch governing coalition began on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservative party powered to a fourth consecutive victory in a vote held during a nationwide lockdown and dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The feat put Mr Rutte in pole position to lead coalition talks, most likely with another big winner – the centrist, pro-European D66 party led by former diplomat Sigrid Kaag, who danced on a table on Wednesday night when an exit poll showed her party capturing one of its biggest-ever victories.