Incumbent Holds Slim Lead in Dutch Vote

Centrist parties likely to keep control

Dutch voters appeared to give a ringing endorsement to centrist parties, as exit polls suggested the likely formation of a broadly pro-European coalition government.

The result, if confirmed, would dispel earlier fears that radical euro-skeptic parties could gain sway in a relatively strong economy at the core of the euro zone and could accelerate the usually prolonged process of forming a governing coalition.