Winner Rob Jetten on front pages; Wilders won't start formation until results are in

Dutch newspapers on Thursday morning are dedicated to the D66's victory in the parliamentary election. Not all votes have been counted yet, but the newspapers have declared Rob Jetten the big winner.

The latest exit poll has the D66 at 26 seats, 17 more than in 2023 and equal to the PVV. Geert Wilders was quick to post on X on Thursday that he won’t let the Cabinet formation start before the final results are in.

“The PVV wants to take the lead in forming a new government if we become the largest party. As long as there is no 100% clarity on this, a D66 scout can not get started. We will do everything we can to prevent this,” Wilders posted. “Scout” is the term used in Dutch politics for the person who starts the formation process with preliminary inquiries on which parties are willing to govern with whom and on what conditions.

Despite being on an equal footing with the PVV, Jetten’s D66 is the clear winner this election. And the Dutch newspapers reflect that.

“Jetten the big winner,” is the Telegraaf’s headline, speaking of a “historic result.” Jetten will likely be the first D66 Prime Minister, because Wilders “has been ruled out by almost everyone,” the newspaper points out.

“Jubilant D66 can push for a centrist Cabinet,” is Trouw’s headline. The newspaper thinks that Jetten partly owes his victory to Wilders’ absence. Because the PVV leader didn’t join televised debates early in the campaign, Jetten was able to get in.

AD’s front page is a photo of Jetten with the headline “Back to the Center.” The Volkskrant has a photo of Jetten with his hand raised and the Dutch flag in the background. Het Parool referred to the D66’s slogan in its headline: “With Rob Jetten, D66 can do it.”

Financieele Dagblad took a more somber approach, focusing on the fragmentation of the Dutch political landscape. “For the first time in history, the largest party in the Netherlands has fewer than 30 seats.”