Dutch general election, 2025

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Template:Infobox legislative election

On 29 October 2025, the Netherlands conducted early general elections to select members of the House of Representatives. Originally, these elections were anticipated for 2028; however, a snap election was necessitated when the Schoof cabinet fell apart following the withdrawal of the Party for Freedom (PVV) from the coalition.

Projections indicate a neck-and-neck race between Democrats 66 (D66) and PVV in the House, each securing 26 seats. For D66, this marks a historic high, with the party set to gain 17 seats—its strongest-ever general election performance. Meanwhile, all parties currently in the Schoof coalition, PVV, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), New Social Contract (NSC), and the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB), are expected to lose ground, with NSC facing a total wipeout after losing all 20 seats. Gains are forecast for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and JA21, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape.

Electoral system[edit]

Main article: Elections in the Netherlands
Voting ballot for the elections in Delft

Under Articles C.1, C.2, and C.3 of the electoral law, general elections for the House of Representatives are held every four years in March, unless early polls are called. The 150 members are elected through semi-open party lists under proportional representation across a single nationwide constituency. Seat distribution follows the D’Hondt method, with a 0.67% electoral threshold (Hare quota) required for a list to qualify.[1]

Voters can also cast preferential votes, where candidates securing at least 25% of the Hare quota (effectively 0.17% of total votes) are prioritised for seats, regardless of their position on the party list. If multiple candidates meet this threshold, seating order is determined by vote count. Unfilled seats are then allocated based on the original list ranking.[2][3]

Parties and lead candidates[edit]

See also: List of candidates in the 2025 Dutch general election
List Party Lead candidate Ideology 2023 result Districts
1 Party for Freedom PVV Geert Wilders Nationalism, right-wing populism 23.49% (37 seats) 20
2 GroenLinks–PvdA GL/PvdA Frans Timmermans Social democracy, green politics 15.75% (25 seats) 20
3 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD Dilan Yeşilgöz Conservative liberalism 15.24% (24 seats) 20
4 New Social Contract NSC Eddy van Hijum Christian democracy 12.88% (20 seats) 20
5 Democrats 66 D66 Rob Jetten Social liberalism 6.29% (9 seats) 20
6 Farmer–Citizen Movement BBB Caroline van der Plas Agrarianism, right-wing populism, conservatism 4.65% (7 seats) 20
7 Christian Democratic Appeal CDA Henri Bontenbal Christian democracy, conservatism 3.31% (5 seats) 20
8 Socialist Party SP Jimmy Dijk Democratic socialism, left-wing populism, cultural conservatism 3.15% (5 seats) 20
9 Denk Denk Stephan van Baarle Minority interests, social conservatism 2.37% (3 seats) 20
10 Party for the Animals PvdD Esther Ouwehand Animal rights advocacy, environmentalism 2.25% (3 seats) 20
11 Forum for Democracy FVD Lidewij de Vos National conservatism, right-wing populism 2.23% (3 seats) 20
12 Reformed Political Party SGP Chris Stoffer Christian right, social conservatism 2.08% (3 seats) 20
13 Christian Union CU Mirjam Bikker Christian democracy 2.04% (3 seats) 20
14 Volt Netherlands Volt Laurens Dassen Social liberalism, European federalism 1.71% (2 seats) 20
15 JA21 JA21 Joost Eerdmans Conservative liberalism, right-wing populism 0.68% (1 seat) 20
16 Peace for Animals VvD Template:Sortname ill Animal rights advocacy, pacifism — 20
17 Interest of the Netherlands BVNL Wybren van Haga Classical liberalism, right-wing populism 0.51% (0 seats) 20
18 Bij1 BIJ1 Tofik Dibi Socialism, anti-racism 0.42% (0 seats) 20
19 Libertarian Party LP Tom van Lamoen Libertarianism 0.04% (0 seats) 19
20 50Plus 50+ Template:Sortname ill Pensioners' interests 0.49% (0 seats) 19
21 Pirate Party PPNL Matthijs Pontier Pirate politics 0.09% (0 seats) 18
22 Frisian National Party FNP Aant Jelle Soepboer Regionalism, Frisian interests — 16
23 Free Alliance VV Bart Burggraaf Classical liberalism — 13
24 De Linie DL Template:Sortname ill Right-wing populism — 10
25 Netherlands with a Plan NLPLAN Kok Kuen Chan Participatory democracy 0.05% (0 seats) 9
26 Ellect ELLECT Joana Amoah Abolitionism — 5
27 Party for the Rule of Law PVDR Danielle Tulp Rule of law advocacy — 2

[citation needed]

Campaign[edit]

Debates[edit]

Dutch general election debates, 2025[4]
Date Title or organizer Channel
  •  P  Present
  •  S  Substitute present
  •  A  Absent
  •  I  Invited
  •  NI  Not invited
 Ref.
Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header Template:Vert header
10 October NOS NPO Radio 1 P P P A P P P P P P P P P A P [5][6]
12 October WNL op Zondag[lower-alpha 1] NPO 1 NI NI S NI NI S NI S NI NI NI S NI S S [7]
RTL Nieuws RTL 4 NI NI P NI NI NI NI P NI NI NI P NI A P [8][9]
19 October RTL Tonight [nl] NI NI P NI P P NI P NI NI NI P NI A P [10]
23 October SBS6 NI NI P NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI P NI P P [11][12]
25 October Omroep Brabant, Omroep Zeeland and L1 NI NI P NI P P NI P NI NI NI P NI P P [13][14][15]
26 October NOS Jeugdjournaal NPO 3 NI NI P NI NI NI P P NI NI NI P NI P P [16]
27 October EenVandaag NPO 1 NI NI P NI NI P NI P NI NI NI P NI P P [17]
28 October NOS P P NI P NI NI NI NI P NI P NI P NI NI [16]
NI NI P NI P P P P NI P NI P NI P P

Results[edit]

With 99.7% of votes tallied, Rob Jetten’s Democrats 66 (D66) edged ahead with 16.9% of the vote share and 26 seats, a 17-seat gain and their strongest-ever electoral performance. Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration Party for Freedom (PVV) finished a close second at 16.7% (26 seats), shedding 11 seats compared to 2023. The ruling People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), led by Dilan Yeşilgöz, slipped to 14.2% (22 seats), losing 2 seats, while the GroenLinks–PvdA alliance under Frans Timmermans secured 12.7% (20 seats), down 5 seats.

The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), led by Henri Bontenbal, staged a dramatic comeback, surging to 11.8% and 18 seats, a 13-seat leap. Smaller parties saw mixed results: JA21 jumped to 5.9% (9 seats, +8), while the Forum for Democracy (FvD) rose to 4.6% (7 seats, +4). The agrarian Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) plummeted to 2.7% (4 seats, -3). Parties like Denk, SGP, PvdD, and CU each secured 3 seats, while the Socialist Party (SP) retained 2 seats despite losing ground. The senior citizens’ party 50PLUS re-entered parliament with 2 seats, while climate-focused Volt lost one. The biggest collapse was by the New Social Contract (NSC), which vanished entirely after failing to retain any of its 20 seats.[18]

People arriving at and leaving Delft City Hall on election day 2025. In front of the historic building is a portico with stairs on both sides and a temporary accessibility ramp fitted over the right staircase. A row of parked bicycles stands in front of the portico, with two cyclists just arriving.
Delft City Hall as a polling station on election day 2025
2025 Dutch House of Representatives.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democrats 661,763,61516.8926+17
Party for Freedom1,748,46016.7526−11
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy1,486,87114.2422−2
GroenLinks–PvdA1,322,27812.6720−5
Christian Democratic Appeal1,230,39011.7918+13
JA21620,7655.959+8
Forum for Democracy475,4704.557+4
Farmer–Citizen Movement277,3452.664−3
Denk252,1152.4230
Reformed Political Party237,5822.2830
Party for the Animals214,9192.0630
Christian Union199,9761.9230
Socialist Party197,3361.893−2
50PLUS150,1221.442+2
Volt Netherlands112,3351.081−1
Bij139,9080.3800
New Social Contract39,1930.380−20
Interest of the Netherlands18,2100.1700
Peace for Animals16,9320.160New
Pirate Party10,6760.1000
Frisian National Party9,3320.090New
Libertarian Party8,3240.0800
De Linie3,5320.030New
Netherlands with a Plan2,3420.0200
Free Alliance1,0800.010New
Ellect2340.000New
Party for the Rule of Law1600.000New
Total10,439,502100.001500
Source: NOS[19][20]

By province[edit]

Results by province[21]
Province D66 PVV VVD GL-
PvdA 		CDA JA21 FvD BBB Denk SGP PvdD CU SP 50+ Volt Others
Template:Country data Drenthe 14.0% 19.2% 14.5% 11.8% 12.8% 5.4% 6.2% 5.1% 0.5% 1.0% 1.4% 2.4% 2.3% 1.8% 0.7% 0.9%
Template:Country data Flevoland 13.9% 19.0% 13.7% 10.7% 9.4% 5.8% 6.0% 3.0% 3.6% 4.5% 1.8% 2.6% 1.9% 1.5% 0.8% 1.8%
Template:Country data Friesland 13.3% 17.2% 12.0% 12.2% 15.4% 5.6% 6.8% 5.0% 0.4% 1.3% 1.5% 2.5% 2.1% 1.3% 0.7% 2.7%
Template:Country data Gelderland 16.2% 15.9% 13.9% 12.4% 12.8% 5.8% 4.5% 3.1% 1.4% 4.4% 1.9% 2.6% 1.7% 1.3% 1.0% 1.1%
Template:Country data Groningen 16.8% 16.4% 11.2% 16.6% 11.1% 3.8% 5.1% 3.5% 0.7% 1.1% 2.5% 3.1% 4.4% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3%
Template:Country data Limburg (Netherlands)
Template:Country data North Brabant 17.8% 19.1% 16.7% 10.1% 13.0% 6.7% 4.0% 2.4% 1.8% 0.5% 1.5% 0.6% 1.9% 1.8% 1.0% 1.1%
Template:Country data North Holland 20.4% 13.2% 15.3% 16.7% 8.1% 5.3% 4.2% 2.2% 3.4% 0.4% 3.1% 1.0% 2.0% 1.3% 1.4% 2.0%
Template:Country data Overijssel 13.8% 16.7% 13.0% 9.9% 15.7% 6.3% 5.3% 4.8% 1.3% 3.3% 1.3% 3.4% 1.7% 1.3% 0.9% 1.3%
Template:Country data South Holland
Template:Country data Utrecht 20.4% 11.9% 13.6% 15.8% 11.3% 5.1% 3.4% 1.6% 3.2% 2.9% 2.7% 2.7% 1.5% 1.0% 1.6% 1.3%
Template:Country data Zeeland 12.0% 17.6% 13.6% 9.1% 13.3% 6.1% 5.2% 3.1% 0.8% 10.2% 1.3% 2.7% 1.7% 1.6% 0.6% 1.1%
 Caribbean Netherlands 24.4% 11.1% 11.3% 13.5% 7.1% 2.9% 4.4% 1.3% 0.3% 0.4% 1.8% 13.8% 2.0% 0.0% 2.2% 4.5%
Postal voters abroad

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ Debate with the parties' second-placed candidates: Sebastiaan Stöteler (PVV), Esmah Lahlah (GL/PvdA), Eelco Heinen (VVD), Jan Paternotte (D66), Hanneke Steen (CDA), and Annabel Nanninga (JA21).

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Zetelverdeling over partijen". Kiesraad (in Nederlands). 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Nederland, Parlementsverkiezingen, 15 maart 2017: Eindrapport (Report). OSCE/ODIHR. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "Zetelverdeling over kandidaten". Kiesraad (in Nederlands). 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Alle politieke verkiezingsdebatten op een rij" [All political election debates laid out]. EW (in Nederlands). 28 August 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "NOS Nederland Kiest: Radiodebat" [NOS Netherlands Chooses: Radio Debate]. NPO Radio 1 (in Nederlands). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Volt zegt NOS-debat af, wil niet met FVD in discussie over klimaat" [Volt cancels on NOS debate, does not want to discuss the climate with FvD]. NOS (in Nederlands). 8 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Speciale uitzending WNL Op Zondag HET WNL-DEBAT: DE RUNNERS-UP Het eerste tv-debat met de nummers 2. Alle grote partijen doen mee. Van PVV, CDA en GroenLinks/PvdA tot VVD, D66 en JA21. Zondag 12 oktober, 10 uur, NPO1 #wnlopzondag #nummer2" [Special broadcast of WNL On Sunday THE WNL DEBATE: THE RUNNERS-UP The first TV debate featuring the runners-up. All the major parties are participating. From the PVV, CDA, and GroenLinks/PvdA to the VVD, D66, and JA21. Sunday, October 12, 10 a.m., NPO1 #wnlopzondag #nummer2]. x.com (in Nederlands). WNL. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Eerste grote verkiezingsdebat met vier hoofdrolspelers bij RTL op zondagavond 12 oktober" [First major election debate with four key players on RTL on Sunday evening, October 12]. RTL (in Nederlands). 5 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "Rob Jetten bij het RTL-verkiezingsdebat" [Rob Jetten at the RTL election debat]. D66 (in Nederlands). 12 October 2025. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Zes partijleiders bij tweede RTL-verkiezingsdebat op 19 oktober" [Six party leaders at the second RTL election debate on October 19]. RTL (in Nederlands). 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Deze vier lijsttrekkers doen mee aan het SBS6-debat" [These four party leaders are participating in the SBS6 debate]. Hart van Nederland (in Nederlands). 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Eén debat, vier verhalen: zo anders keken kiezers naar Het Debat van Nederland" [One debate, four stories: this how differently viewers looked at The Debat of The Netherlands]. Hart van Nederland (in Nederlands). 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Debat van het Zuiden 2025 zet Brabantse thema's centraal" [Debate of the South 2025 focuses on Brabant themes]. Omroep Brabant (in Nederlands). 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Debat van het Zuiden" [Debate of the South]. L1 (in Nederlands). 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "Debat van het Zuiden" [Debate of the South]. Omroep Zeeland (in Nederlands). 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Alles over de Kamerverkiezingen 2025 bij de NOS" [Everything about the 2025 house of representatives elections at NOS]. NOS (in Nederlands). 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "Dit zijn de 6 lijsttrekkers die meedoen aan het EenVandaag Verkiezingsdebat voor de Tweede Kamerverkiezingen" [These are the 6 leading candidates participating in the EenVandaag Election Debate for the House of Representatives elections]. EenVandaag (in Nederlands). 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  18. ↑ https://www.nu.nl/tweede-kamerverkiezingen/6374131/van-twintig-naar-nul-zetels-nsc-verdwijnt-na-snelle-opkomst-uit-kamer.html
  19. ↑ "Uitslagen Tweede Kamer 2025". NOS (in Nederlands). 29 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "Aantal blanco stemmen verdubbeld: 'Kunnen alleen maar speculeren waarom'" (in Nederlands). Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  21. ↑ "Bekijk hier de uitslag in jouw gemeente". RTL Nieuws (in Nederlands). 29 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
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