In the Netherlands, a surprising shift in the country's politics has left liberals elsewhere taking note. At this week's election, centrist D66 party leader Rob Jetten led his party to almost triple its seats, securing enough votes to form the next government.
A key factor behind D66's success was its approach to patriotism. Traditionally, progressives have shied away from expressions of national pride, instead associating it with the populist right. However, Jetten and his team proved that a more inclusive, progressive patriotism can be just as effective in winning over voters.
For years, Dutch left-wing politicians had adopted a defeatist tone, warning of the dangers of climate change, inequality, and social injustice. But Jetten flipped this script, telling people that "this country can do so much better." His positive message resonated with voters, echoing the Yimby philosophy popularized by US writers Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson.
By embracing a can-do mindset, D66 was able to overcome its image as a party of naysayers. Jetten's leadership style was characterized by confidence and optimism, which was refreshing in an election year where many politicians seemed mired in pessimism. He showed that hope is not naive, but rather a source of strength when properly argued and firmly held.
D66 also made another key decision: to be proudly patriotic without excluding minorities or vilifying outsiders. By standing behind the Dutch flag and celebrating the country's unique identity, Jetten was able to connect with voters in a way that left-wing politicians often fail to.
In debates, Jetten took on the far-right PVV leader Geert Wilders by owning a new kind of pride: progressive patriotism. This approach allowed him to tackle policy differences head-on without sacrificing his party's values.
Economic policy was also a key area where D66 stood out from its rivals. By championing progressive taxation, inheritance tax reform, and higher rewards for work, the party showed that left-wing ideas can be popular with voters who often feel disillusioned by traditional politics.
Perhaps most impressively, however, was D66's ability to build a broad coalition of support. According to polling data, 20% of those who voted for Jetten came from the centre-left GreenLeft/Labour alliance (GL/PvdA), while 13% came from the rightwing NSC party. This indicates that D66 was able to appeal to voters from across the political spectrum.
In short, Rob Jetten and his team showed that optimism and confidence can be powerful tools in politics, particularly for left-wing parties. By embracing a positive message, being proudly patriotic, taking off the gloves when necessary, telling an unapologetically left-wing economic story, making a big tent, and building a broad coalition of support, D66 secured its position as a major force in Dutch politics.
As liberals elsewhere take note, they may be tempted to follow Jetten's example. But it's not just about copying his approach – it's about understanding the complexities of modern voter behavior and adapting to an increasingly polarized landscape.
A key factor behind D66's success was its approach to patriotism. Traditionally, progressives have shied away from expressions of national pride, instead associating it with the populist right. However, Jetten and his team proved that a more inclusive, progressive patriotism can be just as effective in winning over voters.
For years, Dutch left-wing politicians had adopted a defeatist tone, warning of the dangers of climate change, inequality, and social injustice. But Jetten flipped this script, telling people that "this country can do so much better." His positive message resonated with voters, echoing the Yimby philosophy popularized by US writers Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson.
By embracing a can-do mindset, D66 was able to overcome its image as a party of naysayers. Jetten's leadership style was characterized by confidence and optimism, which was refreshing in an election year where many politicians seemed mired in pessimism. He showed that hope is not naive, but rather a source of strength when properly argued and firmly held.
D66 also made another key decision: to be proudly patriotic without excluding minorities or vilifying outsiders. By standing behind the Dutch flag and celebrating the country's unique identity, Jetten was able to connect with voters in a way that left-wing politicians often fail to.
In debates, Jetten took on the far-right PVV leader Geert Wilders by owning a new kind of pride: progressive patriotism. This approach allowed him to tackle policy differences head-on without sacrificing his party's values.
Economic policy was also a key area where D66 stood out from its rivals. By championing progressive taxation, inheritance tax reform, and higher rewards for work, the party showed that left-wing ideas can be popular with voters who often feel disillusioned by traditional politics.
Perhaps most impressively, however, was D66's ability to build a broad coalition of support. According to polling data, 20% of those who voted for Jetten came from the centre-left GreenLeft/Labour alliance (GL/PvdA), while 13% came from the rightwing NSC party. This indicates that D66 was able to appeal to voters from across the political spectrum.
In short, Rob Jetten and his team showed that optimism and confidence can be powerful tools in politics, particularly for left-wing parties. By embracing a positive message, being proudly patriotic, taking off the gloves when necessary, telling an unapologetically left-wing economic story, making a big tent, and building a broad coalition of support, D66 secured its position as a major force in Dutch politics.
As liberals elsewhere take note, they may be tempted to follow Jetten's example. But it's not just about copying his approach – it's about understanding the complexities of modern voter behavior and adapting to an increasingly polarized landscape.
I think what's so interesting here is how D66 was able to redefine what it means to be a progressive party in the Netherlands. They're showing that you don't have to be all about doom and gloom to resonate with voters, but you can actually offer a sense of hope and optimism 
. It's also really cool to see them embracing their own patriotism without excluding minorities or outsiders – it's like they're saying "yes" to the Netherlands and its people, while still being true to their values 
. And let's be real, who doesn't want a party that can bring together people from different sides of the spectrum? 
It's definitely something we could learn from in other countries too! 
. Like, who wouldn't want to vote for someone who says "we can do so much better" instead of just dwelling on our problems? Rob Jetten's got some serious charm and it sounds like his positivity is infectious 
. I'm curious though, if other left-wing parties are taking note, will they be able to replicate this success or adapt their own strategies to win over voters in a more divided landscape 
that D66 managed to almost triple its seats and form a government without being super divisive or alienating voters. They made a bold move by embracing patriotism in a more inclusive way, which might just be the kind of message some people are looking for. It's interesting to see how their economic policies stacked up too... 
, it shows that you don't have to be extreme to be effective. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good underdog story? This guy comes in and almost triples his party's seats... talk about a Cinderella story! But what I think is even more impressive is that D66 was able to appeal to voters from all sides of the spectrum 
, and maybe we can learn a thing or two from Rob Jetten about how to win over voters in a polarized landscape 
. And kudos to Rob Jetten for showing that optimism and confidence can be powerful tools in politics - it's so easy to get caught up in pessimism, especially when the news seems bleak 
. I'd love to see more parties adopt this approach, but at the same time, it's not just about copying their style - it's about understanding the nuances of modern politics and adapting to a rapidly changing landscape 
Rob Jetten and his team are literally changing the game over here in the Netherlands. I mean, who would've thought that a centrist party could almost triple its seats? 
it just goes to show that ppl don't want to be stuck in the "left vs right" mentality anymore they want parties that can unite people & offer real solutions
and let's be real, their economic policies are on point too! 
. The way D66 built a broad coalition of support is also noteworthy – it highlights that left-wing ideas don't have to be divisive or exclusionary 
.
. It's so refreshing to see a leader who's not afraid to show confidence and optimism - it's like a breath of fresh air 
!
. It's like, instead of just criticizing him, Jetten was able to own his approach to patriotism and show that it can be done in a way that's actually appealing to people.
!
I'd love to see a more nuanced discussion on this topic.
. The fact that they were able to win over so many people from the centre-left and right-wing parties too? That just shows how adaptable and inclusive you can be in politics if you're not afraid to take risks 
.