A new Dutch government assumed office on Monday, with 38-year-old centrist Rob Jetten sworn in as the Netherlands’ youngest-ever and first openly gay prime minister.
Jetten secured a surprise election victory in October, narrowly defeating the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by veteran firebrand Geert Wilders. The snap election followed the PVV’s withdrawal from the previous coalition, the country’s most right-wing government in recent history, which lasted just 11 months.
Jetten’s Democrats 66 (D66) party has formed a coalition with the centre-right CDA and the liberal VVD. Together, they hold 66 seats, nine short of a parliamentary majority. The coalition was formed in 117 days, far quicker than the 223 days required to form the previous government.
During his campaign, Jetten emphasized a positive, pro-European message, promising to “bring the Netherlands back to the heart of Europe” and vowing support for Ukraine and NATO commitments.
Although the new government leans less to the right than its predecessor, it maintains conservative elements. The coalition plans tighter immigration rules, cuts to social benefits, and budget-conscious financing for military and defense investments. Political analyst Sarah de Lange of Leiden University notes that “substantial continuity exists with previous immigration plans” and that passing major reforms may take longer due to reliance on opposition support.
Wilders’ PVV suffered a significant setback, dropping from 37 seats in 2023 to 26 last year, leaving the party excluded from government. Other far-right parties, including Forum for Democracy and JA21, gained ground, though they were ultimately sidelined.
Jetten and his cabinet were officially sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at Huis Ten Bosch in The Hague. Initially, the prime minister had sought a broader coalition including left-leaning GroenLinks and PvdA, but VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz opposed this.
With the new government in place, the Netherlands now faces the challenge of balancing continuity, coalition compromise, and a commitment to international engagement in a polarized political landscape.
AFP
