UPDATE DUTCH POLITICS: Municipal elections confirm rise of local parties and fragmentation

The municipal elections in the Netherlands, held yesterday (18 March), took place against a backdrop of significant political turbulence at the national level. Following the collapse of the previous government in 2025 and a prolonged period of political fragmentation, a new minority coalition only recently took office – governing without a parliamentary majority and relying on shifting support in a highly divided House of Representatives.

At the same time, recent national elections and polling have highlighted a volatile and fragmented political landscape, with both progressive parties and right-wing challengers competing for influence. This broader dynamic is increasingly reflected at the local level, where political competition is intensifying and traditional party structures are under pressure.

Local parties remain dominant

Local parties have once again emerged as the clear winners of the municipal elections, reinforcing their structural dominance in local governance and highlighting the continued fragmentation of the political landscape.

Across the Netherlands, city-specific parties outperformed national parties, confirming a long-term trend: local elections are increasingly driven by place-based issues such as housing, safety and liveability rather than national political dynamics.

Big cities: fragmented and politically polarised

In the Netherlands’ largest cities, election results point to increasing fragmentation and sharper political contrasts. GroenLinks-PvdA (GreenLeft-Labour Party) remains competitive in these urban centres, while strong local parties continue to command significant support, particularly where they are closely aligned with city-specific issues.

In Amsterdam, where results are not yet final, GroenLinks (GreenLeft) leads, followed by D66 (Liberal Democrats) and PvdA (Labour Party). Following the election, GroenLinks and PvdA are expected to merge into a single faction in the city council.

In Rotterdam, GroenLinks-PvdA and Leefbaar Rotterdam (Livable Rotterdam) finished neck and neck, illustrating the tight balance between progressive and local/populist forces.

In The Hague, Hart voor Den Haag (Heart for The Hague) – a local party focused on safety, liveability and municipal issues – recorded a clear victory and is set to become by far the largest party, with significant gains compared to 2022.

Similar patterns of fragmentation and competitive positioning can be observed in other urban centres. At the same time, Forum voor Democratie (Forum for Democracy) – a right-wing, anti-establishment national party known for its critical stance on the EU, immigration and climate policy – emerged as one of the fastest-growing parties in several municipalities. This points to ongoing volatility on the right flank and continued competition for protest voters. Voter turnout also increased compared to the previous municipal elections, signalling renewed political engagement.

Key takeaways

• Local parties remain the dominant force in municipal politics.
• Local issues – including asylum reception, housing and liveability – are becoming more politicised.
• Fragmentation persists, making coalition-building more complex.
• Right-wing challengers (incl. Forum for Democracy) are gaining ground in selected areas.
• Voter turnout seems to be increased a bit compared to last local elections, signalling heightened political engagement.

What’s next?

Coalition negotiations will now begin across more than 300 municipalities. With fragmented councils and strong local players, forming stable governing coalitions is expected to be complex and time-consuming.

For stakeholders, this reinforces the importance of early engagement at the local level – where political dynamics are increasingly decisive and less predictable.