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Netherlands: Ahmed Aboutaleb emerges as favorite for prime minister post
With less than a month before the Dutch snap elections scheduled for October 29, 2025, Ahmed Aboutaleb, former mayor of Rotterdam of Moroccan origin, has become the frontrunner for the office of Prime Minister, according to a recent poll.
The survey, conducted among more than 1,200 voters, places Aboutaleb first with 13% of voting intentions, ahead of far-right populist Geert Wilders (PVV) at 11%. Henri Bontenbal (CDA) and Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA) follow at 7%. The results highlight a divided electorate: Aboutaleb appeals mostly to highly educated voters and seniors, while Wilders maintains support among voters with vocational or technical backgrounds.
The elections come in a period of political instability, triggered by the collapse of the government after the PVV withdrew from the coalition. Analysts expect a close contest between the three main blocs: PVV, VVD, and the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance.
Born in 1961 in Beni Sidel (Morocco), Aboutaleb moved to the Netherlands at the age of 15. A telecommunications engineer by training, he began his career as a journalist before entering politics. He served as deputy mayor of Amsterdam, State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment, and mayor of Rotterdam from 2009 to 2024 — becoming the first person of Moroccan and Muslim background to lead a major Dutch city.
Under his leadership, Rotterdam was praised for its social inclusion and sustainable development policies. In 2021, he received the World Mayor Prize for his commitment to equality and social cohesion. His pragmatic crisis management, particularly after the 2015 terrorist attack, strengthened his reputation as a determined leader.
If elected, Aboutaleb would be the first Dutch Prime Minister of Moroccan origin, a milestone that could reshape national political dynamics and reflect changing expectations among voters, who appear increasingly focused on experience and competence beyond traditional party lines
