D66 and Freedom Party Neck-and-Neck in Vote Count
According to the most recent projections for the number of votes cast, Geert Wilders, an anti-Islam populist, and Rob Jetten’s centrist-liberal party D66 are neck and neck in the Dutch election. A projection from Dutch news agency ANP stated on Thursday that both D66 and Wilders’ Freedom Party were on track for 26 seats in the 150-member parliament with approximately 98% of votes counted.
Early Exit Polls Show Jetten in the Lead
Initial exit polls had put Jetten in the lead. “Millions of Dutch people have turned a page; they’ve said goodbye to a politics of negativity,” he told supporters.
Wilders Concedes Setback but Hails Strong Result
A downbeat Wilders had earlier conceded the result was not what he wanted, having lost 11 seats, but said he had still achieved his second-best result ever.
Narrow Margin Separates the Frontrunners
In a race that was so close between the two frontrunners, Jetten’s centrists held a lead of less than 1,400 votes with only a few results remaining to declare. Conservative liberals, the GreenLeft-Labour party, which leans left, and Christian Democrats were the three other parties with 22 seats behind.
Wilders Faces Isolation After Coalition Fallout
Wilders topped the opinion polls throughout the election campaign, but after he pulled the plug on his own coalition in June in a row over asylum and migration, all the mainstream leaders made clear they did not wish to work with him again.
Jetten’s Chances of Forming the Next Government
He admits he has little hope of forming a government himself, but said on X on Thursday that if his party did top the vote he should have the first try. Even if there was no clear victory, Jetten, who ran a remarkable campaign, would have a better chance of leading the next administration.
The Rise of Rob Jetten: From Underdog to Frontrunner
Even though D66 only held 12 seats in the polls a few weeks ago, the liberal leader, who is 38 years old, made the most of his polished performances in a series of TV debates and interviews.
Media Presence Boosts Jetten’s Popularity
The fact that he also competed in a TV quiz show called The Smartest Person in the weeks leading to the vote only added to his public profile. Jetten was careful not to claim victory on Wednesday night, despite the party mood among his supporters.
VVD Poised as Key Player in Coalition Talks
The conservative liberal VVD of Dilan Yesilgöz was also heading for a successful night in third place and her party would be a good fit for any potential Jetten-led coalition.
