Dutch Election Tied Between Wilders Far Right Party D66 Center Left

In the Dutch general election held on October 29, 2025, the centrist-liberal party D66, led by Rob Jetten, unexpectedly emerged as either tied or narrowly ahead with around 26-27 seats, marking its best-ever performance. The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, who had previously dominated with 37 seats, lost significant support and was projected to receive 25 seats, trailing D66. Wilders' decision to withdraw from the ruling coalition earlier in the year over migration disputes contributed to his party's decline and has led mainstream parties to rule out forming coalitions with PVV, complicating Wilders' hopes to lead government formation. Other key parties such as the conservative-liberal VVD and left-wing GroenLinks-PvdA also captured considerable seats, with the overall parliament remaining fragmented with 15 parties. The tight race and near-even seat count between D66 and PVV are expected to delay coalition talks as parties navigate the challenges of forming a government. If D66 leads the coalition talks, Rob Jetten could become the Netherlands' first openly gay prime minister, signaling a potential shift back to centrist governance after the previous far-right-led administration.