The Netherlands has a new prime minister. On Monday, Rob Jetten was officially sworn in, becoming both the country’s youngest head of government and its first openly gay leader.
At 38, Jetten took the oath before King Willem-Alexander. His swearing in follows elections held in October after the collapse of the previous government led by Dick Schoof in the summer of 2025, which triggered a snap vote.
Jetten’s party, Democrats 66 (D66), secured a narrow victory over the Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders. He will now head a coalition with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Together, the three parties hold 66 of the 150 seats in parliament. That means the government will rely on outside support to pass legislation. It is a minority coalition, and its room to maneuver is limited.
The new government has outlined a stricter approach to asylum policy, including limits on family reunification. It also plans a major increase in defense spending to meet NATO targets, with billions of euros allocated to the military.
According to Sarah de Lange, a politics professor at Leiden University, the coalition carries a “right-wing signature.” She noted continuity in immigration policy compared to the previous administration and said the coalition has chosen budget cuts rather than deficit spending to fund new initiatives.
Funding for defense is expected to come from reductions in welfare and healthcare spending. Jesse Klaver, a left-wing opposition leader, criticized the plan. “Ordinary people will pay hundreds of euros more, while nothing extra is asked of the richest,” Klaver wrote on X. “This has to change.”
The coalition also pledged action on the housing shortage and emissions tied to the livestock sector.
In a social media post, Jetten wrote: “Proud to be able to do this together. In a new phase, with a great responsibility and above all a joint promise to work for everyone in the Netherlands.”
Jetten announced his engagement in 2024 to Olympic field hockey player Nicolás Keenan.
At 38, Jetten took the oath before King Willem-Alexander. His swearing in follows elections held in October after the collapse of the previous government led by Dick Schoof in the summer of 2025, which triggered a snap vote.
Jetten’s party, Democrats 66 (D66), secured a narrow victory over the Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders. He will now head a coalition with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Together, the three parties hold 66 of the 150 seats in parliament. That means the government will rely on outside support to pass legislation. It is a minority coalition, and its room to maneuver is limited.
The new government has outlined a stricter approach to asylum policy, including limits on family reunification. It also plans a major increase in defense spending to meet NATO targets, with billions of euros allocated to the military.
According to Sarah de Lange, a politics professor at Leiden University, the coalition carries a “right-wing signature.” She noted continuity in immigration policy compared to the previous administration and said the coalition has chosen budget cuts rather than deficit spending to fund new initiatives.
Funding for defense is expected to come from reductions in welfare and healthcare spending. Jesse Klaver, a left-wing opposition leader, criticized the plan. “Ordinary people will pay hundreds of euros more, while nothing extra is asked of the richest,” Klaver wrote on X. “This has to change.”
The coalition also pledged action on the housing shortage and emissions tied to the livestock sector.
In a social media post, Jetten wrote: “Proud to be able to do this together. In a new phase, with a great responsibility and above all a joint promise to work for everyone in the Netherlands.”
Jetten announced his engagement in 2024 to Olympic field hockey player Nicolás Keenan.
