The D66 party defeats Wilders in a historic electoral surprise in the Netherlands
In one of the most fiercely contested Dutch elections in modern history, the centrist party D66 managed to defeat the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders by a narrow margin, according to results from the local news agency ANP. As the counting of all votes nears its end, D66 has taken an insurmountable lead of about 15,000 votes, paving the way for its leader Rob Jetten to become the youngest Prime Minister in the country's history.
Yettin, 38 years old, spoke to reporters after the results were announced, describing the victory as "historic," emphasizing his sense of great responsibility. He said, "I am very happy that we have become the largest party in this election. It is a victory for everyone who believes in a positive and united future for our country."
This victory represents a strong comeback for the D66 party, which is pro-European Union and socially liberal, focusing its election campaign on climate policies, affordable housing, and restoring trust in state institutions. According to ANP estimates, the party received about 18% of the national vote, securing the largest number of seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. However, D66 will need at least three partners to form a coalition government — a process that could take months due to the fragmented nature of the Dutch political landscape.
This result represents a setback for Wilders, as his party PVV initially seemed poised to achieve another surprise after its unexpected victory in 2023. Despite a late surge, the far-right party lost to a broad turnout of voters for centrist and progressive parties. Yetten said after the results were announced: "We have shown Europe and the world that it is possible to defeat populist movements through a positive message."
These early elections came after Wilders withdrew from the previous coalition government made up of four parties due to disagreements over immigration quotas and family reunification, leading to the collapse of the coalition and the call for new elections. Wilders' performance in the fifth largest economy in the European Union was seen as a test of the influence of nationalist movements in reshaping European politics, especially as far-right parties lead opinion polls in France, Germany, and the UK.
The final confirmation of the results is expected to be announced on Monday after counting the votes of Dutch citizens living abroad. Currently, the Netherlands seems to be entering a new political chapter — one based on coalition negotiations, a spirit of compromise, and the leadership of a new generation embodied in the figure of Rob Jetten.