Housing, health, asylum still Dutch voters' main concerns; Defense rising on list
Voters’ main concern for the parliamentary election on October 29 is the housing market, followed by healthcare and asylum, RTL Nieuws found in a survey of its news panel. Defense is also quickly rising on the list of topics voters want political parties to focus on in their campaigns.
Just like with the previous election in November 2023, the housing shortage is by far the most important issue for voters. Almost two-thirds of voters believe the housing market must be addressed in the election campaign.
Young people are slightly more concerned with the situation in the housing market than older age groups. Young people, in particular, are having considerable difficulty finding an affordable rental or owner-occupied home in the current housing market.
Older age groups are more concerned with healthcare. The Schoof I Cabinet, which was in office for less than a year, made many promises in this field, including that the healthcare deductible would be halved, but didn’t implement many of them. The Council of State severely criticized the plan to halve the deductible, because it would increase healthcare costs considerably.
About half of voters listed asylum and migration - the topic that toppled the last two Cabinets - as a key election issue. Right-wing voters, in particular, are keen to see this addressed in the campaigning.
The share of voters who want parties to explain their views on defense and defense spending almost tripled compared to two years ago. In the run-up to the 2023 elections, 14 percent considered Defense one of the most important issues. Now, shortly after the NATO summit in The Hague, the agreement to increase defense spending to 5 percent of the GDP, and ever-increasing geopolitical tensions, 36 percent of voters think Defense is an important election issue.
Topics lower on this election’s list of concerns include poverty and economic equality. The relationship between citizens and government and climate and sustainability were also considered more important in 2023 than they are now.
