Explosive Device in Mailbox Targets Netherlands' Largest Party

An explosion rocked the office of the Democrats 66 (D66) party in The Hague on Thursday, causing structural damage to the building but no casualties, according to Dutch security authorities. The blast, which occurred after 9 p.m. local time, led to the arrest of one suspect, police confirmed.

D66, a progressive, socially liberal party, holds the largest number of seats in the Dutch parliament and is led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten. Jetten described the attack as a "cowardly act of intimidation," stating that a firework-based bomb was thrown into the mailbox at the building's front entrance.

Party's Recent Political Rise

The centrist, pro-European Union party secured a surprise victory in last year's Dutch elections, defeating the far-right Freedom Party led by nationalist Geert Wilders. This incident is not the first act of aggression against D66's headquarters; the main office also sustained damage during an anti-immigration protest last year when demonstrators smashed windows.

Far-right factions often accuse the party of serving the progressive elite, a sentiment that has fueled repeated targeting of its premises.