Dutch election: Anti-Islam populist Wilders ahead - exit poll

Veteran anti-Islam populist leader Geert Wilders is heading for a dramatic victory in the the Dutch general election, says an Ipsos exit poll.

After 25 years in the Dutch parliament, his Freedom party is heading for 35 seats, according to the poll, well ahead of his nearest rival, a left-wing alliance.

If confirmed the result will shake Dutch politics.

But he will struggle to find parties to join him in government.

No single party can win enough seats to govern alone, and three big parties behind him have made clear they have no desire to work with Mr Wilders.

The left-wing alliance under Frans Timmermans is predicted to come in second with 26 seats.

The original favourites to win the race, the centre-right liberals under new leader Dilan Yesilgöz, are heading for third place, ahead of a brand new centre party under whistleblower MP Pieter Omtzigt.