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Among the closest elections in Netherlands history resulted in an outcome so narrow that initial steps in negotiating a new governing alliance have yet to begin.

However, at a time when the forward march of the far right across Europe is dominating headlines, eroding the assurance of mainstream parties, one uplifting takeaway was evident right away: a more unifying kind of politics can still resonate with the public, if it is pursued with determination and style.

The Big and Unexpected Victor

The big and unexpected winner of last week’s election was 38-year Rob Jetten, the charismatic leader of the centrist liberal party D66, which almost tripled its support and is set to top the polls by a narrow margin.

Basing his campaign on the Obama-style slogan “Yes we can,” Mr. Jetten presented himself as an hopeful bridge-builder to an electorate exhausted by the polarising politics of Geert Wilders, whose anti-immigrant Freedom party (PVV) led the outgoing coalition.

He now has a strong possibility of being the country’s youngest-ever prime minister.

Rumours of the Death of the Political Centre

Rumours of the death of Europe’s political centre may have been overstated after all.

But the celebrations should not be overdone.

Understandably euphoric, Mr. Jetten told his supporters after the election: “We have turned the page on Wilders.”

For the moment, that is accurate.

Mr. Wilders’ mainstream coalition partners have no plan of working with him again, following his decision to collapse the last government when it failed to enact his hardline anti‑immigration plans.

The PVV’s Slump and the Overall Picture

But the PVV’s drop in the polls still left it virtually tied with D66 in first place, and Dutch politics remains fixed on the same page in relation to the radical right overall.

Most of Mr. Wilders’ declining support went to smaller rival parties with comparable platforms.

As political scientists have pointed out, their collective presence in the next parliament will in fact be somewhat larger than before.

By contrast, the moderate left had a miserable night, culminating in the resignation of the Green Left/Labour Alliance leader and former European commissioner Frans Timmermans.

A Heavy Responsibility for the Next Government

That overall situation means that a coming moderate government, perhaps led by Mr. Jetten, will bear a very heavy responsibility.

The D66 campaign argued that a disorderly divisive approach was insufficient to the task of solving a huge housing crisis, sky-high healthcare costs and issues over immigration.

Its argument landed because of the chaotic performance of Mr. Wilders’ party in power.

But a failure to deliver substantive reform from the centre could trigger a even more severe backlash.

Grounds for Optimism

For now, though, Mr. Jetten’s sudden emergence as a political star offers forward-thinking groups badly needed reasons to be hopeful.

Handed real influence after the PVV’s comfortable election victory two years ago, Mr. Wilders thoroughly failed.

The approach of optimism and cooperation are once again popular in the Netherlands, and a pro‑European, pro-climate-action leader may be in charge of the country next year.

A Case Study for Other Nations

In countries such as France, Germany and Britain, where the centre has largely endured to now, the situation are not identical.

However, as established groups allow radical right issues to frame the political agenda, the rise of D66 is a case study in how to take an alternative path.

Mr. Jetten should be congratulated for showing that, given a chance, “hope not hate” politics can work.