The Hague: The Netherlands welcomed a new minority coalition government, led by the country’s youngest-ever prime minister, Rob Jetten, who at 38 will need all his negotiation skills to pass laws and complete a full four-year term.
Jetten, the first openly gay Dutch premier, heads a three-party administration made up of his centrist D66 party, the center-right Christian Democrats, and the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy.
The coalition holds only 66 of the 150 seats in the lower house, meaning Jetten must work closely with opposition lawmakers to secure support for each piece of legislation.
The largest opposition bloc, a merger of the Green Left and the Labor Party, has already indicated it will seek changes to some of the government’s plans.
Sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at the royal palace in The Hague’s forested outskirts, Jetten called it ‘an enormous honor to be able to get to work as prime minister.’ The king wished the new government success ‘in uncertain times.’
Beëdigd. We gaan beginnen. Aan de slag. pic.twitter.com/RgwDZ5lELw
— Rob Jetten (@MinPres) February 23, 2026
Outside the palace, a small group of Extinction Rebellion demonstrators protested, sounding sirens as ministers posed for the traditional Cabinet photo. The government is set to hold its first official Cabinet meeting later Monday.
The coalition takes office 117 days after national elections that Jetten’s D66 narrowly won over Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom. This marked the fourth national election since 2017, with the final result only confirmed after counting postal ballots.
Jetten assumed office a day before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He has pledged to continue the Netherlands’ strong support for Kyiv and maintain spending to strengthen the Dutch military amid global uncertainties.
