HIBAPRESS – Muhammad Zariouh
The Netherlands is witnessing exceptional political circumstances with the approach of the early legislative elections scheduled for October 29, 2025, following the collapse of the government coalition and the country's entry into a new phase of party balances. In the midst of this turbulent context, the name of Ahmed Aboutaleb, the politician of Moroccan origin from the Rif region, stands out as one of the most prominent candidates who may lead the next government, in a historical precedent that attracts the attention of followers inside and outside the country.
A poll conducted by a specialized institute and including more than 1,200 voters showed that Aboutaleb tops the list of the most fortunate figures to assume the position of prime minister with 13 percent of voting intentions. Although this percentage does not represent a majority, it is sufficient to give him a symbolic advantage over his competitors and make him the focus of media and political elites, especially since he represents a reformist current within the Dutch Labor Party (PvdA).
Aboutaleb, who was born in Morocco, precisely in Nador, before immigrating as a child to the Netherlands, has accumulated a long political and administrative experience, as he held the position of mayor of the city of Rotterdam for years, during which he was able to impose the image of a strict and pragmatic statesman, who balances between belonging to the values of integration and demanding security strictness in the face of extremism. This background made him appreciated by wide segments of Dutch voters, including those not traditionally affiliated with the left.
But the competition seems fierce, as Geert Wilders, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), comes in second place, obtaining 11 percent of voting intentions. Wilders continues to rely on a populist discourse that focuses on immigration and Islam issues, which attracts a specific voter base, especially those with intermediate or technical educational levels, making him a strong opponent despite the relative decline in his popularity compared to previous entitlements.
In subsequent ranks, Henry Bontenbal, the leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDA), obtained 7 percent of voting intentions, the same figure recorded by Frans Timmermans, the candidate of the joint leftist alliance between the Labor Party and the Green Left Party. Although these percentages seem modest, the weight of these parties in the next parliament may be decisive in forming any possible government coalition.
The results of the poll also showed that Aboutaleb enjoys remarkable support from educated groups and the elderly, which reflects the image of the “respected” politician who is accepted by wide segments looking for stability and efficiency. In contrast, Wilders relies on a protest discourse that attracts a different segment of voters, who feel economic and social marginalization, which reinforces the clear division in the electoral mood within the Netherlands.
The early elections come after Wilders' party withdrew from the ruling coalition, which ignited a political crisis and plunged the country into a state of ambiguity, as each party today seeks to exploit this circumstance to strengthen its negotiating position in the next parliament. This is what makes the upcoming battle not only about the personality of the prime minister, but also about the nature of possible alliances in light of a parliament fragmented between several relatively similar forces.
While the parties are preparing for an election campaign that is expected to be fierce, the eyes are increasingly directed towards Ahmed Aboutaleb, as a candidate who can write a new history in Dutch political life, by the arrival of a person of Moroccan origin to lead the government. This possibility excites many voters belonging to minorities, and at the same time raises the fears of his political opponents, who see in him a symbol of a deep change in the identity of the Dutch political scene.
If Ahmed Aboutaleb succeeds in leading the Dutch government, this will be a significant event for the Moroccan community, which constitutes one of the largest and oldest immigrant communities in the Netherlands. After decades of gradual integration, the arrival of a figure of Moroccan origin to the highest executive position in the country will be seen as an explicit recognition of the position of this community and its contribution in various fields. This may also enhance the sense of belonging and integration among the young generations, who will find in Aboutaleb’s experience an inspiring model that proves that political success is available regardless of ethnic or religious background, which may be reflected positively on the image of Moroccans and Muslims in general within Dutch society.
