The euro gained as the results of Wednesday's vote showed a clear win for Rutte, albeit with fewer seats than in the last parliament. Merkel told Rutte: "I look forward to continuing our good cooperation as friends, neighbors, Europeans," her spokesperson said. But with a strong second-place finish, Wilders warned Rutte that he had not seen the last of his Party for Freedom, which has dominated the debate on immigration. Wilders said he wanted to participate in coalition talks, even though mainstream parties have ruled out working with him. Wilders' PVV will have a third more seats in parliament than before, but is still well below a 2010 high of 24 seats.

Source: Egypt Independent March 16, 2017 09:33 UTC