Dutch party leaders have clashed in a tetchy televised debate, as the Netherlands election campaign entered its final days.

But the poll also showed a six-seat gain to 26 seats for Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam Party for Freedom, which has been campaigning on distrust in government and an immigration “stop”.

At one point, Van der Plas burst out that it was “super-irritating” to be interrupted by Jetten, and Yeşilgöz-Zegerius attacked Timmermans on the costs of his social equity and climate plans.

The former European Union heavyweight said Yeşilgöz-Zegerius should take responsibility for recent government scandals on childcare benefits fraud and ignoring earthquake damage caused by Groningen gas extraction.

The ill-tempered spectacle came as the new poll suggested that a previous survey last week – which showed a surge for the far-right Party for Freedom – may also have galvanised progressive votes for GreenLeft/Labour.

Research published on Monday from EenVandaag broadcaster’s opinion panel suggested half of Timmermans’ supporters would vote for him strategically.

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