Voters went to the polls in the Netherlands today appearing to shift more toward the right amid economic troubles and discontent over immigration.

The conservative VVD party under leader Mark Rutte holds a solid lead in opinion surveys, running on a deficit-busting, tough-on-immigration platform.

The overtly anti-Islam Freedom Party of Geert Wilders, which wants a ban on all immigration from non-western countries, also appears set for large gains.

A softer approach promoted by left-leaning parties including former Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen's Labour Party is unlikely to win a majority, although Labour is running second in polls and has made a late surge.

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