London: A smiling centrist has emerged as the biggest winner of the Dutch elections after voters shifted to the middle ground – and blocked the rise of the hard right.

The victory for Rob Jetten, leader of Democrats 66, vaults him into contention as the nation’s next prime minister when he negotiates a likely coalition to form government.

It is also a shock defeat for right-wing populist Geert Wilders, a fierce critic of Muslim immigration and key figure in forcing the election in a bid to seize more power.

Jetten, a former railway manager who seemed to campaign with a constant smile, lifted his party from nine to 26 seats in the elections held on Wednesday.

The success came in part from promises to invest in education and act on climate change, as well as a catchphrase – “Het kan w

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