Dutch Far-Right Populists Centrist D66 Tie Unprecedented Election

The 2025 Dutch general election concluded with an unprecedented tie between Geert Wilders' far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) and the centrist D66, each winning 26 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives. This historic deadlock, with a margin of just over 2,000 votes, is expected to delay coalition talks, as both parties claim the right to lead negotiations. While PVV lost 11 seats compared to the previous election, D66 gained 17 to 27 seats, marking its best performance ever, led by Rob Jetten, who is seen as a potential future prime minister. Despite Wilders' insistence on playing a leading role in coalition formation, mainstream parties, including D66, have ruled out partnering with the PVV due to trust issues stemming from Wilders' previous actions. The election also prompted the resignation of Frans Timmermans, leader of the center-left alliance, following disappointing results. Overall, the vote highlights deep political divisions in the Netherlands and the complexities ahead in forming a new government.