D66’s Rob Jetten Claims Dutch Election Victory, Plans Broad Coalition

Democrats 66 (D66) leader Rob Jetten has declared victory in the Dutch general election after final projections confirmed his party’s lead over Geert Wilders’s far-right PVV. Calculations by the national election authority show D66 ahead by more than 15,000 votes, securing its position as the largest party in the Netherlands.
Jetten, 37, expressed gratitude to voters, saying his goal now is to “work on behalf of all Dutch citizens.” He announced plans to form a broad, centrist coalition focused on addressing key national issues such as housing, migration, climate, and the economy. Emphasizing unity, he urged political leaders to prioritize stability over partisanship.
While VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz has indicated support for a centre-right coalition that includes the far-right JA21, Jetten said such an arrangement would not be his first choice. He instead called on VVD to consider a more inclusive government that reflects the country’s diversity of opinion.
The victory positions Jetten to become the Netherlands’ first D66 prime minister — and its youngest and first openly gay leader. Having entered parliament in 2017 and taken over party leadership in 2023, Jetten is now expected to lead coalition talks as parliamentary leaders meet next week to appoint a mediator to begin negotiations.