Centrist leader Rob Jetten wins by fewer than 30,000 votes over far-right rival Geert Wilders, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s political landscape.
Rob Jetten, the 38-year-old centrist leader of the Democrats 66 (D66) party, has been officially declared the winner of the Dutch general election, setting him on course to become the youngest prime minister in the country’s history.
The Dutch Electoral Council announced on Friday November 7, 2025, that Jetten secured victory by a narrow margin of 29,668 votes over Geert Wilders, the outspoken anti-Islam politician whose far-right movement had gained traction across Europe in recent years. The tight race was closely watched as a bellwether for the continent’s political direction amid rising populism.
Speaking shortly after the announcement, Jetten hailed the result as “a victory for optimism and moderation,” adding that his campaign proved “it is possible to defeat populist politics with a positive message about the future.”
Despite the win, Jetten faces the formidable task of coalition building in the Netherlands’ highly fragmented parliamentary system. No single party has ever governed alone, and coalition negotiations often take months to conclude.
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D66 captured 26 seats in the 150-member parliament — the lowest tally ever recorded for a winning party — while Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) matched that total. Other right-wing factions, including Forum for Democracy and JA21, made modest gains, signaling that far-right sentiment remains influential despite Wilders’ defeat.
Jetten has expressed interest in forming a broad, four-party coalition spanning the political spectrum, potentially including the center-right Christian Democrats (CDA), the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and the left-wing Green/Labor alliance. Such a coalition would command a comfortable 86-seat majority.
However, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz has rejected collaboration with the Greens and Labor, instead proposing a narrower right-leaning coalition that would hold just 75 seats — a precarious majority. Jetten, meanwhile, has ruled out a minority government, insisting on “a stable and inclusive partnership.”
To navigate the complex negotiations, Jetten appointed Wouter Koolmees, head of the Dutch national rail company, as “scout” to identify areas of compromise among potential partners. Koolmees is expected to present his initial findings on Tuesday November 12, 2025.
Wilders, who reluctantly conceded defeat, continued to allege voting irregularities online, though Electoral Council Chairman Wim Kuijken affirmed the integrity of the process. “There were no irregularities that could cast doubt on the election results,” Kuijken said.
With his victory, Jetten ushers in a new generation of leadership in Europe’s fifth-largest economy — one that will be tested by political fragmentation, shifting alliances, and the challenge of steering the Netherlands toward stability and unity.
Africa Daily News, New York
