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Among the closest elections in Netherlands history resulted in an outcome so narrow that first moves in forming a new coalition government have yet to begin.

However, at a time when the forward march of the far right across Europe is making news, eroding the assurance of mainstream parties, one encouraging conclusion was immediately clear: a more unifying kind of politics can still resonate with the voters, if it is prosecuted with conviction and panache.

The Big and Surprising Victor

The surprising victor of last week’s election was 38-year Rob Jetten, the dynamic leader of the moderate liberal group D66, which nearly multiplied its support and is set to top the polls by a whisker.

Building his platform on the Obama-style slogan “Yes we can,” Mr. Jetten presented himself as an optimistic unifier to an voting public exhausted by the divisive tactics of Geert Wilders, whose anti-immigrant Freedom party (PVV) dominated the previous government.

He now has a strong possibility of being the country’s youngest-ever prime minister.

Reports of the Decline of the Center Ground

Talk of the demise of Europe’s center ground may have been overstated after all.

But the jubilation should not be excessive.

Naturally elated, Mr. Jetten told his followers after the election: “We have moved on on Wilders.”

For the moment, that is accurate.

Mr. Wilders’ mainstream coalition partners have no intention of teaming up with him again, following his decision to bring down the last government when it did not implement his extreme anti‑immigration plans.

The Freedom Party’s Decline and the Overall Picture

But the PVV’s slump in the polls still left it virtually tied with D66 in first place, and Dutch politics remains stuck on the same page in relation to the far right overall.

Most of Mr. Wilders’ lost votes went to smaller rival parties with comparable platforms.

As political scientists have pointed out, their collective presence in the next parliament will in fact be somewhat larger than before.

By contrast, the moderate left had a disappointing night, ending with the stepping down of the Green Left/Labour Alliance leader and former European commissioner Frans Timmermans.

A Major Challenge for the Future Coalition

That overall situation means that a future centre-led coalition, perhaps led by Mr. Jetten, will bear a very heavy responsibility.

The D66 campaign argued that a disorderly politics of division was inadequate to the task of solving a massive housing crisis, sky-high healthcare costs and concerns over immigration.

Its message resonated because of the chaotic performance of Mr. Wilders’ party in power.

But a inability to deliver radical change from the middle could unleash a still darker backlash.

Reasons to Be Cheerful

For now, though, Mr. Jetten’s rapid rise as a political star offers forward-thinking groups badly needed reasons to be cheerful.

Given significant power after the PVV’s comfortable election victory two years ago, Mr. Wilders comprehensively blew it.

The approach of optimism and cooperation are back in fashion in the Netherlands, and a pro‑European, pro-climate-action leader may be in charge of the country next year.

An Example for Different Countries

In countries such as France, Germany and Britain, where the middle has just about held up to now, the dynamics are not identical.

Nevertheless, as established groups allow far-right themes to shape the public debate, the rise of D66 is a model in how to do things differently.

Mr. Jetten should be applauded for demonstrating that, if provided the opportunity, “hope not hate” strategies can succeed.