Leader of D66 (Democrats 66) Rob Jetten cuts a cake as he as he delivers remarks to journalists outside the PVV faction room at the Lower House, the day after the Dutch parliamentary election vote, in The Hague, on October 30, 2025. SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP
Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten on Friday, October 31, claimed victory in a knife-edge election over far-right head Geert Wilders, saying his surprise success showed populist movements could be beaten in Europe.
The 38-year-old head of the D66 centrist party is now on track to become the youngest and first openly gay prime minister of the European Union's fifth-largest economy.
With far-right parties on the march in France, Germany, and Britain, the Dutch vote was seen as a bellwether for the strength of populists in Europe. Jetten told AFP his positive message of optimism had convinced the Dutch electorate and delivered victory over the anti-Islam, anti-immigration Wilders.
"I think we've now shown to the rest of Europe and the world that it is possible to beat the populist movements if you campaign with a positive message for your country," he said.
