The Dutch Farmers Citizens Movement (BBB) has overtaken Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s ruling VVD party in the country’s provincial elections.

The Dutch Senate is poised to witness a significant shift in power, as the BBB party is on track to emerge as the largest political group.

The election results throw a wrench in Rutte’s radical plans to cut emissions from nitrogen fertilizer by 50% and seize farmland. 

Without a majority in the Senate, Rutte will be hard pressed to find the political will to move forward on his schemes. 

The latest official figures reveal that the BBB has secured 15 seats out of the total 75 in the Senate, capturing close to 20% of the overall vote.

In a major setback for Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s VVD party, it has suffered a significant loss, dropping from 12 to 9 seats.

This outcome has dealt a severe blow to the ruling party’s prospects and its future policy agenda.

“Nobody can ignore us any longer,” said BBB leader Caroline van der Plas.

“Voters have spoken out very clearly against this government’s policies.”

Dutch farmers have once again taken to the streets expressing their anger after another year of being told by the government that their farms could be seized. 

Rutte’s government has implemented a buyback scheme to purchase thousands of farms.

Last year, over 40,000 Dutch farmers took to the streets to express their grievances, leading protests outside government buildings and even the official residences. 

Farmers have even dumped manure at the foot of the government and have even clashed with police at times. 

The demonstrations were a visible expression of the farmers’ frustration with the government’s policies, seen by the entire world.