Dutch Election 2025: Centrist D66 Surges to Victory, Marking a Setback for Populism
The Netherlands has spoken, and the message from the ballot box is a decisive shift back to the political centre. The 2025 Dutch general election, held on November 22, has delivered a stunning victory for the liberal-centrist party Democrats 66 (D66), led by Rob Jetten, positioning it to lead the next government and marking a significant setback for the far-right.
Initial exit polls project that D66 will emerge as the largest party in the 150-seat Dutch House of Representatives, securing a projected 26-27 seats. This represents a major surge for the party, which previously held a more modest position. Conversely, Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), which had been polling strongly, is projected to drop significantly in seats, capturing an estimated 25. This result underscores a notable rejection of populist forces in this key European nation.
A Night of Celebration and a Mandate for Change
The atmosphere at D66’s election night gathering was jubilant. Supporters waved Dutch flags and celebrated what many hope is a new chapter for Dutch politics. A banner in the city of Leiden captured the mood, reading: “It is possible.” Addressing his energized supporters, party leader Rob Jetten framed the outcome as a victory for optimism and a clear rejection of negativity and division.
“The Dutch people have chosen a course of hope and unity,” Jetten stated, “They have shown that they believe we can tackle the country’s challenges together.”
Election Context: A Snap Vote and a Test for Europe
This snap election was triggered by the collapse of the previous government earlier this year when the PVV pulled out of its ruling coalition. The vote was widely seen as a crucial test of whether the far-right momentum seen across Europe could translate into lasting governmental power. The preliminary results suggest that in the Netherlands, at least, that momentum has been stalled.
According to the exit polls, the seat distribution places D66 in the lead with ~27 seats, followed by the PVV at ~25. The centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is projected to win around 22 seats, while the centre-left GroenLinks–PvdA alliance drops to about 20. The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) appears to have gained ground, securing around 18–19 seats.
The Road Ahead: Complex Coalition Negotiations
The immediate focus now shifts to the complex process of coalition-building. With a majority requiring 76 seats, no single party comes close. The most likely scenario involves the formation of a multi-party coalition government, potentially involving D66, the CDA, the VVD, and possibly the GroenLinks–PvdA alliance.
However, forging a policy agreement among these diverse parties on key issues like the housing crisis, healthcare costs, and migration policy could take months of negotiation.
Key Election Themes and a Shift in Tone
The campaign was dominated by pressing domestic issues, including a chronic housing shortage estimated at 400,000 homes and rising healthcare costs. While migration and asylum policy were heated topics, the electorate ultimately appeared to reward parties that presented concrete solutions over divisive rhetoric.
For the PVV, this result represents a political downturn. Despite a hard-line platform on immigration and Islam that had gained traction in recent years, the party now finds itself politically isolated. Most mainstream parties have explicitly ruled out entering a coalition with the PVV, meaning its path to power is effectively blocked. Geert Wilders acknowledged the disappointing result, signaling his party will likely remain in opposition.
The victory for D66 and Rob Jetten, who at 38 could become the youngest Prime Minister in Dutch history, signals a public desire for renewal and stable, pragmatic governance after a period of polarization. The 2025 Dutch election results appear to be a clear mandate for centrist politics and a change in tone, steering the country away from extremes and toward a politics of cooperation.
