World

Dutch Polls Show Tight Vote Wednesday

Center-right party holds narrow lead over center-left party

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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's center-right Liberal Party clung to a narrow lead over the center-left Labor Party ahead of Wednesday's vote, in a race that will determine the nation's approach to the European debt crisis.

Both parties could win the most seats in Parliament and take the initiative to form a coalition government. Mr. Rutte, who holds a wafer-thin lead, has warned that Labor leader Diederik Samsom—his nearest rival—would change course by moving away from austerity and sever ties with like-minded Germany.