In a dramatic political showdown, the Netherlands' liberal Democrats 66 (D66) secured a narrow lead over the far-right Party of Freedom (PVV) in Wednesday's elections, with over 99% of votes counted. The outcome sets the stage for complex coalition negotiations in one of Europe's most closely watched democracies.
PVV leader Geert Wilders, whose party lost over 10 seats since its 2023 peak, vowed to challenge the results, declaring on social media: "We will do everything to prevent" D66 from leading government formation talks. This comes despite major parties ruling out cooperation with the PVV following last year's collapsed coalition over immigration disputes.
The election marks a pivotal moment for Dutch politics after 11 months of instability under the PVV-led alliance. Analysts suggest D66's gains reflect voter concerns about far-right governance, though forming a stable majority remains challenging in the fragmented 150-seat parliament.
As coalition talks loom, international observers await implications for EU policy and business confidence in the Netherlands – a key Asian trade partner and tech innovation hub.
