D66 Shakes Up Dutch Politics in Unexpected Election Triumph

In a surprising turn of events during the Dutch elections held on October 29, the liberal party D66 (Democraten 66) performed exceptionally well, nearly tying for first place with the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders. Preliminary results indicate both parties have elected 26 members to parliament. With no major coalition partners willing to ally with the PVV, it appears increasingly likely that D66 will form the next government, with its leader, Rob Jetten, poised to become the prime minister. Founded in 1966, D66 is known for its moderate, pro-European stance and has historically been a minor ally in governing coalitions. The party has progressive views on many social issues such as environmental protection and the welfare state while adopting more center-right positions on economic policies and immigration. Recently, D66 has toughened its stance on immigration, advocating for stricter policies, including a controversial proposal requiring asylum seekers to submit their claims before entering the European Union. Jetten, energetic and youthful at just 38 years old, could make history as the youngest and first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands. With a degree in economics, he served as a parliamentarian and was the minister for the Environment from 2022 to 2024 during a centrist coalition government. His dynamic personality has made him a visible figure in the campaign, actively participating in various public engagements, including a popular quiz show, 'De Slimste Mens' (The Smartest Person in the World). During the election campaign, Jetten emphasized tackling the housing crisis, a pressing issue in the Netherlands with a population of around 18 million and an estimated need for 400,000 additional homes. D66 proposed an ambitious program to construct new neighborhoods and increase investments in renewable energy. This optimistic approach is reflected in the campaign slogan 'Het kan wél' (It is possible), reminiscent of Barack Obama's famous 'Yes we can' slogan from his 2008 presidential campaign. Throughout his campaign, Jetten took a conciliatory approach, promoting collaboration among various political parties while criticizing his main opponent, Geert Wilders, for his alarmist and divisive rhetoric. This strategy seems to have resonated well with the electorate, enabling D66 to attract a diverse range of voters, including some who previously supported Wilders in 2023. The fractured nature of the Dutch parliament, attributed to an electoral law with no significant thresholds, complicates government formation. It only takes 0.67% of the votes to secure a seat. Thus, if Jetten is tasked with creating a government, he will need to forge alliances with multiple parties. The most likely scenario points towards a coalition involving D66, the Green Left (GL), the Labour Party (PvdA), and the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). In the past, coalition negotiations in the Netherlands have been notoriously lengthy and complicated, often dragging on for months. As this new political landscape unfolds, all eyes are on Jetten and D66, who may soon steer the future direction of Dutch politics in a significant way. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2