The Netherlands witnessed a night of political surprises as the parliamentary election produced an unexpectedly close result between two rival forces: the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, and the centrist-liberal Democrats 66 (D66), led by 38-year-old Rob Jetten. With more than 98 percent of votes counted, both parties stood at 26 seats each in the 150-member parliament, separated by just over 2,000 votes. Final results could take several days to confirm.

The Rise of Rob Jetten and D66

Few had anticipated D66’s surge. Polls had projected the party to win around 17 seats, but Jetten’s performance in the final TV debates just days before the vote appeared to sway undecided voters. Wilders had suspended his campaign after a terror threat, leaving Jetten to dominate the media space with his upbeat, forward-looking message. His call for a “constructive coalition” and his slogan “Het kan wel” (“It is possible”) struck a chord with voters tired of political division.

This result marks D66’s strongest performance since its founding in 1966. Addressing supporters in Leiden, Jetten said, “Millions of Dutch people have turned the page of negativity and chosen politics that lets us look forward again.”

Centre-Left Collapse and Timmermans’ Exit

The GreenLeft-Labour (GroenLinks-PvdA) coalition, led by former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans, suffered heavy losses, slipping to fourth place after coming second in 2023. The alliance lost five seats, prompting Timmermans to announce his resignation on election night. “I have not managed to convince people to vote for us, and I take full responsibility,” he said, visibly disappointed.

A Setback for Wilders and the Far Right

For Wilders, the night was far from the triumph he had hoped for. His PVV lost seven seats compared to the previous election and is unlikely to lead the next government. Despite still being among the largest parties, his potential coalition partners have ruled out working with him, making it nearly impossible for him to form a majority. “We had hoped for a different result,” Wilders wrote on X. “We remain combative and still one of the biggest parties.”

While the PVV slipped, other far-right movements gained ground. JA21 expanded from one to eight seats, and Forum for Democracy (FvD) from three to seven, signaling that the nationalist vote remains strong, albeit fragmented. Analysts estimate that nearly a third of former PVV voters shifted to JA21 this time.

What the Result Means for Europe

The outcome could reshape the Netherlands’ stance within the European Union. Outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof, a technocrat without party backing, had a limited presence in Brussels compared to his predecessor Mark Rutte, now NATO Secretary General. If Jetten succeeds in forming a government, his pro-European stance could revive the Netherlands’ influence in EU decision-making.