Dutch Election Outcome: A Boost for Europe's Centrists
The recent election in the Netherlands has brought a sense of relief to Europe's centrists, with Rob Jetten emerging as a favorite to become the country's prime minister.
Jetten, a fervently pro-European liberal, surged in the final days of the campaign and is likely to become the youngest person to hold the office since World War II, as well as the first openly gay candidate.
In contrast, Geert Wilders, the far-right populist who had previously touted leaving the EU, lost nearly a third of his voters after a chaotic 11 months in coalition.
Many in the Brussels bubble will welcome the rise of a mainstream, pro-governing and reform-oriented party
According to an EU diplomat, this outcome is a positive development for the EU, marking a shift away from far-right populism and towards a more pro-European stance.
Author's summary: Rob Jetten's rise is a win for EU centrists.
- Rob Jetten: pro-European liberal and potential prime minister
- Geert Wilders: far-right populist who lost nearly a third of his voters