Key Points
• Rob Jetten’s centrist D66 party secures majority in Dutch parliamentary elections
• Marks the end of more than a decade of conservative dominance under Mark Rutte’s VVD
• Jetten promises pragmatic governance, climate action, and social unity
ISLAMABAD: Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten has officially won the Netherlands’ national election, according to final results announced Friday, ending over a decade of conservative rule and signalling a new direction in the country’s politics.
Jetten’s liberal-centrist D66 party secured a decisive victory, paving the way for him to become the next prime minister of the Netherlands.
The official tally released by the Dutch Electoral Council shows D66 taking 42 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, surpassing the long-dominant People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which had led the government since 2010 under outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The result marks a historic shift in Dutch political balance and positions Jetten, 37, as the youngest prime minister in Dutch history.
Jetten, who campaigned on a platform of climate responsibility, housing reform, and social inclusion, said the outcome reflected “the Netherlands’ desire for balanced leadership and practical solutions.” In his victory speech in The Hague, he pledged to form “a government that unites, not divides” and to strengthen ties within the European Union.
Political analysts note that coalition talks are likely to be complex, given the Netherlands’ tradition of multi-party governance. Jetten’s D66 is expected to reach out to the Labour-Green alliance and centrist Christian Democrats to form a workable coalition, ensuring a stable parliamentary majority.
European leaders congratulated Jetten on his win, describing it as a positive signal for centrist politics amid a surge of far-right movements across the continent. “The Dutch election outcome reinforces the importance of pragmatic, pro-European leadership,” said an EU diplomat quoted by Reuters.
The election result also carries international significance, as the Netherlands plays a pivotal role in EU policy on climate, trade, and migration. Analysts expect Jetten’s government to align closely with Brussels on environmental goals and democratic values, while maintaining firm economic ties with global partners.
