The Dutch centrist liberal party, led by Rob Jetten, has emerged victorious in a closely contested election. Current vote analysis suggests that Jetten’s party, D66, holds a lead of approximately 15,000 votes over Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party, with reports indicating Wilders can no longer secure a win. While the vote count is still incomplete, projections estimate that both parties could potentially occupy 26 seats in the 150-seat parliament, although D66 may secure a 27th seat.
Jetten, 38, expressed pride in achieving what he called a “historic result” and acknowledged the substantial responsibility he faces in forming a stable government. His campaign successfully garnered support in major cities, including Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, using the slogan “Yes, we can.” Despite the positive outcome, Jetten has refrained from declaring victory until the final votes are counted. Based on current figures, analysts suggest he may be able to claim the position of prime minister.
This election marks a significant shift, as Jetten pointed out that no party has previously won a Dutch election with fewer than 30 seats. He will need to collaborate with at least three other parties to achieve the 76 seats required to establish a coalition, with potential candidates including the conservative-liberal VVD, the left-wing Labour-GreenLeft alliance, and the Christian Democrats. Forming such a coalition could be a lengthy process, potentially extending for months.
Outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof has predicted challenges ahead for Jetten, suggesting he may still be in office at Christmas. Schoof, who was appointed by Wilders, commented on the complexities of coalition-building, noting that Wilders had previously stepped aside due to a lack of support from potential coalition partners.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6z5e5y55eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss