THE HAGUE, Oct 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - As the Dutch head to the polls for a snap election sparked by a government collapse, AFP looks at the key players vying for power in the European Union's fifth-largest economy.

- Wilders: powerful but not in power -

A fixture of Dutch politics for decades, Geert Wilders stunned the establishment two years ago by winning the election, moving from the fringes to the centre of power.

Instantly recognisable by his bouffant white hair, the 62-year-old is sometimes nicknamed "the Dutch Trump", for his haircut but also his far-right politics.

From calling Moroccans "scum" to holding competitions for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, Wilders has built a career from his self-appointed mission to stop an "Islamic invasion" of the West.

Despite winning the 2023 election, Wilders was forced to shelve his dream of becoming PM, as his coalition partners baulked at the idea of him representing the Netherlands.

And he is likely to stay in the wilderness, as all major parties have ruled out working with him again after he collapsed the government in a row over immigration.

But he is sure to remain a major force in Dutch politics, with polls suggesting his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) could top the election again.

- Timmermans: pro-European with green chops -

A former European Commission vice-president who pioneered the EU's Green Deal climate policies, Frans Timmermans is seen as an experienced safe pair of hands after a period of instability.

The 64-year-old cuts an avuncular figure, with his white beard and soft voice, but critics say he lacks the dynamism and charisma to make it to the top.

Ambitious and erudite, the father of four speaks at least six languages including English, French, German and Italian and reportedly Russian.

Avowedly pro-European, he was born in Maastricht, the southern city that in 1992 gave its name to the treaty creating the European Union.

Educated in Rome and later studying French literature and European law in France, Timmermans spent much of his adult life outside the Netherlands.

After nine years at the Commission in Brussels from 2014, he returned to throw his hat in the ring for the 2023 election, where he came second.

But his left-leaning Green-Left coalition has tasted election success, beating the PVV into second place at the 2024 European elections.

- Bontenbal: rising star pushing stability -

Growing up in a working-class house in Rotterdam with seven sibings, Henri Bontenbal has cultivated an image as an ordinary Dutchman trying to make a difference in politics.

The fresh-faced 42-year-old is hoping to restore stability with his centrist CDA party, using the catchphrase: "Time for Normal Politics".

His message appears to be resonating with Dutch voters tired of political crisis: polls suggest the CDA have risen from fourth place to pushing for second.

Bontenbal studied physics at the prestigious Leiden University and began his career outside politics, working as a consultant on sustainable energy.

This led him in 2006 to make a personal commitment to avoid flying for private trips, and he drives a fully electric car.

He enjoys playing piano and saxophone and describes himself as a "protestant with a Catholic heart," citing Pope Francis as a personal inspiration.

- Jetten: pace-setter setting the pace -

As a junior athletic prodigy, Rob Jetten used to run as a pace-setter for Sifan Hassan, now a multiple Olympic champion.

Now the 38-year-old is hoping to set the pace in Dutch politics, bursting from the back of the pack to put his party fourth -- just off the podium.

He became head of his D66 party, a centrist, socially liberal grouping, at the tender age of 31.

His glasses, serious demeanour, and well-rehearsed soundbites earned him the nickname of "Robot Jetten", but he quickly brushed this off.

"The best advice I got at that time: tell your story as if you were sitting around the table with your friends," he said.

He jettisoned the glasses after laser eye surgery and adopted a more laid-back approach that has won him plaudits.

A helpful quirk of timing meant he got to the final of a popular TV general knowledge quiz screened just before the election.

Jetten's partner is Argentinian hockey star Nicolas Keenan. The pair plan to get married next year in Spain.