The Netherlands will go to the polls to choose a new parliament on June 9. But although, officially, Dutch voters will only be electing the 150 members of de Tweede Kamer, the real race will be fought out between the contenders for the highest Dutch office, that of prime minister.

Looking at the current polls, it seems to have become a showdown between four men: incumbent Jan Peter Balkenende, Labour challenger Job Cohen, right-wing liberal Mark Rutte and enfant terrible Geert Wilders. Their neck-and-neck race illustrates the fragmented political landscape of the Netherlands, where traditional parties no longer boast a loyal following.

Read more >> | nrc.nl – International – Election 2010 – Who will be the next Dutch prime minister?.