The ruling Christian Democrats (CDA) were heading for a five-seat victory over their Labour rivals in today's Dutch election, according to a projected result based on the first eight per cent of votes counted, television said.
The projection gave the CDA 45 seats in the 150-seat lower house, up two from its current 43. The opposition Labour party was seen climbing to 40 seats from the 23 it crashed to in last May's election.
The projection marked a widening of the CDA's lead over Labour. An earlier exit poll and initial results projection had suggested a photo finish, with the CDA just one vote ahead of Labour.