Dutch Centrists Led by Rob Jetten Projected to Win Election Amid Far-Right Decline

In the recent Dutch parliamentary elections, centrist liberals led by 38-year-old Rob Jetten and his party D66 are projected to win 27 seats, marking their best performance historically and surpassing the far-right PVV led by Geert Wilders, which is forecast to drop to 25 seats from 37. This shift represents a rejection of Wilders, whose anti-Islam and anti-immigration stances had initially led his party to victory in 2023 but caused coalition breakdowns and political instability. Major parties have ruled out forming coalitions with Wilders, making Jetten the frontrunner for prime minister, although forming a stable government may be complicated given the fragmented parliament with potentially up to 15 parties. Voters prioritized issues like immigration and housing shortages, with Jetten promising ambitious urban development plans and a return to a more centrist, pro-European politics. Wilders acknowledged his defeat, while Jetten celebrated the election as a turning point away from a politics of negativity. The results highlight a desire among Dutch voters for political stability and collaborative governance after recent turmoil.