But, unlike in France, this Dutch political shift won't mark a turning point against austerity measures

Today, Dutch people go to the polls for the fifth time in 10 years. Going by the latest polls, the Labour party (PvdA) is likely to become the largest party, with its leader, Diederik Samsom, expected to be appointed prime minister.

At first sight, this may look like the continuation of a Europe-wide shift to the left. Yet in France, François Hollande's victory marked a turning point in the country's economic stance. Whether the rise of the left in the Netherlands will affect the Dutch position in a similar way is questionable.

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