Local Parties Dominate Dutch Municipal Elections, GroenLinks-PvdA Remains Strong

The Netherlands held municipal elections on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with local parties securing the majority of city council seats. Despite gains by the far-right Forum for Democratie (FvD), the left-wing GroenLinks-PvdA alliance emerged as the largest national party, though experiencing a loss in seats NOS reports.

Rise of Local Parties

A striking trend in this election cycle was the success of new and local parties. Several municipalities saw brand new parties, not participating in the 2022 elections, win the largest share of votes. For example, Wij Westervoort secured over 33% of the vote in the Gelderland municipality of Westervoort, even as Christelijk Verbond Oldebroek won 32% in Oldebroek, also in Gelderland. In Uitgeest, nearly 20% of voters chose Onafhankelijk Uitgeest. Similar results were seen in Goeree-Overflakkee, Hardenberg, Best, Stede Broec, and Texel.

FvD Gains, GroenLinks-PvdA Holds Strong

The Forum for Democratie (FvD) experienced significant gains, quadrupling its voter base to approximately 300,000, largely due to increased participation in more municipalities. NOS indicates the party is likely to gain representation in most municipalities where it competed.

GroenLinks-PvdA, an alliance between GroenLinks (GreenLeft) and the Labour Party (PvdA), formed in 2023, remains a significant political force, despite a net loss of seats. The alliance was founded during the 2021–2022 Dutch cabinet formation, building on prior local alliances between the two parties. Wikipedia details the alliance’s ideology as encompassing social democracy, green politics, and progressivism.

Similarities and Differences with SP

GroenLinks-PvdA shares common ground with the Socialist Party (SP) on several social issues, including affordable housing, renter protection, and combating poverty and inequality. Both parties prioritize strong neighborhoods, public services, and affordable public transport. However, a key difference lies in their approach to combining green and social policies. GroenLinks-PvdA believes climate action and social progress are not mutually exclusive, advocating for solutions like home insulation and green energy that simultaneously reduce costs and protect the environment. The SP, while also focused on social issues, places a lesser emphasis on the green agenda.

Looking Ahead

With almost all votes counted, recounts are underway in all municipalities, and final results are expected later today. The strong showing of local parties underscores a trend towards localized political engagement in the Netherlands. The performance of GroenLinks-PvdA and FvD will likely shape the political landscape as the country moves forward.