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🇳🇱 Netherlands • Pro-European party D66 causes surprise in general election
Political change in the Netherlands: the progressive, pro-European party D66, led by 38-year-old Rob Jetten, was the big surprise in yesterday's general election. The social-liberal party, which had previously been marginal with nine seats, jumped to 26 seats, narrowly beating Geert Wilders' far-right Party for Freedom (PVV). Wilders, who had caused the coalition government to fall in June, emerged weakened with 26 seats, down from 37 previously.
Rob Jetten, former Minister of Climate and Energy, who is engaged to an Argentine hockey champion, immediately claimed the role of government leader. He is calling for a “positive and forward-looking” coalition, embodying a counterpoint to the dominant populist and Eurosceptic discourse. His success can be explained by an optimistic and cheerful campaign, a moderate tone, and a reassuring pro-European stance for a section of the electorate concerned about the decline of Dutch influence within the European Union.
However, negotiations to form a government are likely to be difficult. Parliament is more fragmented than ever: 42 seats still go to the radical right and the far right, and the center and center-left parties are seeking a fragile balance. D66 could form an alliance with the Christian Democrats of the CDA (18 seats) and the Liberals of the VVD (22 seats), thus forming a pro-European but minority base. The option of a broad coalition on the right, with the populist JA21 party, remains unlikely given the strong ideological differences.
The Dutch, who have used proportional representation since 1917, are nevertheless champions of political stability: they have had only five different prime ministers in 42 years.
On the left, the defeat of Frans Timmermans, former European Commissioner and leader of the socialist and green coalition (20 seats, down 5 seats from 2023), makes an alternative unlikely.
The political landscape, more fragmented than ever, reflects the weariness of an electorate concerned about the housing crisis, healthcare, energy costs, and the management of agricultural issues.
For the European Union, the signal is encouraging: a strong comeback by a pro-integration party in the EU's fifth-largest economy could stabilize European debates after two years of populist momentum. But the negotiations in The Hague will be long. Dick Schoof's outgoing government is handling day-to-day business, and the country is waiting to see whether Rob Jetten's promise to “prove that politics can still achieve great things” can become a reality. Le Monde
IN SHORT
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🇺🇸 United States • Donald Trump has announced the resumption of US nuclear testing, claiming that other countries are also conducting tests. He has ordered the Pentagon to test weapons “on an equal footing” with other nuclear powers, without specifying the timing or location. Russia recently tested a nuclear missile, and China is urging Washington to respect the moratorium and preserve the global strategic balance. Several US lawmakers have expressed their opposition, fearing a new arms race.
🇨🇳 China - 🇺🇸 United States • Donald Trump announced a one-year agreement with Xi Jinping on the suspension of Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports. Beijing has also agreed to purchase more American soybeans, and tariffs on certain Chinese products will be reduced from 20% to 10%. The meeting in Busan aimed to ease trade tensions, with no discussion of Taiwan.
🇫🇷 France • The third version of the M51 ballistic nuclear missile, named M51.3, was declared operational this week. Designed by ArianeGroup, this missile will be carried aboard Le Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The M51.3 improves range, accuracy, and penetration capability, thereby strengthening the credibility of French nuclear deterrence in the face of emerging threats. It carries the new TNO-2 oceanic warhead, the result of the CEA's Simulation program.
🇪🇺 European Union • The EU is preparing a system to facilitate the movement of troops and military equipment between member states. The Commission plans to harmonize infrastructure, streamline customs formalities, and identify available means of transport. The project includes a possible European fleet of trucks and railcars, while the European Defense Agency is expected to see its role strengthened, driven by the current movement toward European rearmament.
🇪🇺 European Union • Ursula von der Leyen's proposed budget for 2028-2034 was rejected by the four main groups in Parliament, including her own party, the EPP. MEPs denounced the merger of several funds managed by the states, fearing renationalization and competition between farmers and regions. They are demanding separate budgets and greater parliamentary control. The project has been criticized for its unpredictability and a perceived democratic deficit, particularly with regard to conditionality linked to the rule of law.
🇺🇸 United States - NATO • Washington has announced the suspension of the rotation of a US brigade stationed in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, without a total withdrawal of forces but with a very significant reduction. A thousand soldiers will remain deployed in Romania, fewer than the French troops already present there. Strategic sites and the missile defense base in Deveselu will remain operational, and Bucharest is continuing to develop the Mihail Kogălniceanu base. This is a demonstration of the new US priorities, which are shifting towards Asia.
🇲🇦 Morocco - 🇺🇳 UN - The Security Council is set to vote today on a resolution on Western Sahara, changing its approach by adopting Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan as a basis for negotiations. Supported by Washington, Paris, and London, this diplomatic shift gives Rabat an advantage over the Polisario Front. The duration of MINURSO's mandate could be reduced to six months. The position of China and Russia, allies of Algeria, remains uncertain ahead of the vote.
🇹🇿 Tanzania • Violent protests broke out in Dar es Salaam in the aftermath of the presidential and legislative elections, despite a curfew and heavy security. The internet remains cut off in the country, while the government remains silent. Anger is directed at the son of the head of state, accused of leading an “informal intervention force,” and the opposition's participation has been largely disqualified. Schools are closed and official results are expected in the coming days.
🇫🇷 France - 🇩🇪 Germany - 🇮🇹 Italy - 🇳🇱 Netherlands • The four countries have launched the EDIC Digital Commons consortium, approved by the European Commission, to strengthen the EU's digital independence. The initiative aims to pool resources and expertise to develop open and sustainable alternatives in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and social media. The project will be officially launched on December 11 in The Hague, with other states joining the project as observers.
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