The first results in the Dutch general election show that the ruling Christian Democrats are heading for a five-seat victory over the Labour opposition.
The projection is based on the first 8% of votes counted.
It gives the Christian Democrats 45 seats in the 150-seat parliament. That would be an increase of two from its current 43.
The opposition Labour party is predicted to climb to 40 seats from 23.
The populist anti-immigrant Pim Fortuyn List, which entered into a coalition with the Christian Democrats after May's election, appears to be showing a dramatic loss of support. The party's founder, Pim Fortuyn, was assassinated last year.
