October 2024 Landsraat Election

The October 2024 Landsraat election marked a significant political event, with voters heading to the polls for the second time in two months following the August 2023 election. This election saw shifts in the political landscape as opposition parties gained a modest increase in representation, while the ruling party, National Democrats, saw a slight decrease in their majority.
== Background ==
The October 2024 election was held as a follow-up to the August 2024 election, where the National Democrats achieved a dominant victory, winning 240 seats and securing 80% of the vote. The October election provided an opportunity for opposition parties to gain ground and for minor parties to make their mark.
== Results ==
Party 	Seats (October)	Vote Share (October)	Seats (August)	Vote Share (August)
National Democrats 	228 	70% 	240 	80%
Conservatives 	44 	13% 	47 	11%
PvdA 	22 	7% 	21 	7%
De Liberalen 	9 	3% 	1 	1%
Plaid Cymru Newydd 	5 	2% 	1 	0.5%
De Groenen Vertrokken	3 	1% 	1 	0.5%
== Analysis ==
National Democrats retained their majority in the October election but experienced a drop in both seat count and percentage of votes compared to the August election. This decrease from 240 seats (80% of the vote) to 228 seats (70% of the vote) reflected a shift among some voters who appeared to favor smaller parties and opposition groups.
Conservatives remained the primary opposition party, though they too saw a slight decline in seat numbers, from 47 seats to 44. Their percentage of the vote, however, rose marginally from 11% to 13%, suggesting a steady base of support with a small uptick in voter preference.
PvdA maintained its seat count and vote share from August, holding 22 seats with a consistent 7% of the vote in October. Their stable performance indicated sustained support, though they did not experience any significant gains.
De Liberalen saw one of the most notable gains in the October election, increasing from a single seat in August to nine seats, and from 1% to 3% of the vote. This growth marked a notable shift toward more liberal policies, capturing attention from voters seeking alternatives outside the traditional major parties.
Plaid Cymru Newydd and De Groenen Vertrokken both experienced an increase in representation. Plaid Cymru Newydd rose from one seat (0.5% of the vote) in August to five seats (2% of the vote) in October, indicating an expansion in support for their regional and progressive platform. De Groenen Vertrokken also saw a small increase, gaining two additional seats to hold three seats total, with a rise from 0.5% to 1% of the vote, suggesting growing environmental concerns among voters.
== Conclusion ==
The October 2024 Landsraat election highlighted a shift in the political landscape as the National Democrats retained a majority, though with a slight reduction in seats and vote share. Opposition and minor parties gained modest increases in seats, reflecting a more diverse range of voices in the legislature. The growth in support for parties like De Liberalen, Plaid Cymru Newydd, and De Groenen Vertrokken suggests an increasing demand for diverse representation and policy alternatives, signaling potential changes in the political landscape moving forward.