On Wednesday, 29 October, the Netherlands held early parliamentary elections after the governing coalition fell apart following Geert Wilders’ proposals on immigration were rejected.
Early Parliamentary Elections and Coalition Collapse
On Wednesday, 29 October, early parliamentary elections were held in the Netherlands, triggered by the collapse of the governing coalition when the government rejected Geert Wilders’ proposals on immigration. All major parties had already warned that they would not run with Wilders’ PVV, and although Wilders secured a strong result, he has no realistic chance of co‑government.
Rob Jetten and the “Ten New Cities” Plan
Centrist‑left D66, led by 38‑year‑old Rob Jetten, emerged as the black‑horse of the race. At a D66 convention, Jetten announced a radical response to the housing crisis: “We will build ten new cities.” His proposal aims to tackle the nation’s acute housing shortage.
Key Issues Facing the Future Dutch Coalition
Policymakers will need to address whether this housing plan sounds as extraordinary in the Netherlands as it does in Poland, and how they will tackle other pressing topics such as Palestine, migrants, the European Union, NATO, and the war in Ukraine. Further questions include whether the new government will arm itself, what its budgetary implications are, and how quickly the coalition can form—will negotiations finish in weeks or drag on for months?
Podcast “What Will It Be” – Availability and Schedule
The “What Will It Be” podcast episode answering these questions is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the main Gazeta.pl site. New episodes are released every Thursday at 20:00, and spin‑offs “What Do I Get?” with Miłosz Wiatrowski‑Bujacz and “What Does It Mean?” with Marta Nowak premiere on alternate Mondays at 18:00.