Dutch centrist party D66 leads in elections, overtaking far right by narrow margin

ISTANBUL

The centrist-liberal D66 party, led by Rob Jetten, has become the largest political force in the Netherlands’ parliamentary elections, local news agency ANP reported on Friday.

Although a few votes remain to be counted, ANP said that D66 can no longer be overtaken by Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), based on an analysis of municipal results across the country.

The only remaining municipality, Venray, is expected to publish its results later in the day, while postal votes from abroad have yet to be included.

"Thank you for all your trust. We are the largest party in the Netherlands! Now we will get to work for Dutch people,” Jetten also said on US social media company X.

According to current figures, both D66 and the PVV hold 26 seats each, but D66 leads by 15,155 votes.

ANP analysts said Jetten’s party could even secure an additional residual seat, bringing its total to 27, NOS news reported.

The outcome marks one of the tightest races in Dutch electoral history, with lead changes reported throughout the counting process as municipalities announced their final results.

Jetten is set to respond to the results in The Hague at 2 pm local time. As the leader of the largest party, he will be given the first opportunity to form a governing coalition.

If successful, the 38-year-old politician would become the youngest prime minister in Dutch history.