Report on the Municipal Elections in the Netherlands, 2026.

This report analyses online hate narratives during the Dutch municipal elections of March 2026, highlighting how digital spaces shape contemporary political discourse. Drawing on data collected through the European Observatory on Online Hate (EOOH) dashboard, the study examines thousands of social media posts across multiple thematic channels, including anti-LGBT+, anti-immigration, and politically neutral discussions.

The findings show that online hate is highly politicized and rarely exists in isolation. Narratives targeting migrants, Muslims, Jewish people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other minority groups frequently overlap, creating an interconnected ecosystem of exclusionary discourse. Themes such as “Islamisation” and anti-immigration rhetoric are particularly dominant and often extend beyond local issues, embedding municipal debates within broader national and international narratives.

Despite the local nature of the elections, online discussions were largely detached from municipal concerns, with cities and local events often instrumentalized as symbols in wider ideological debates. This reflects a broader trend in which global conflicts, identity politics, and national narratives overshadow local democratic processes.

The report also highlights the role of political actors and communication strategies in shaping and amplifying these narratives, alongside the normalization of harmful content.

Our report calls for stronger commitments from political actors to ethical communication, improved monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and greater responsibility from online platforms in limiting the spread of harmful content. Addressing online hate is framed as essential to safeguarding inclusive and democratic public discourse.

You can read the report: Here (in English)