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4mo ago

Rob Jetten Sworn In as Netherlands’ Youngest and First Openly Gay Prime Minister

Holding 66 of 150 seats, the three-party cabinet faces pushback over plans to raise defense spending, trim benefits, tighten migration rules.

Ministers of the new three-party minority government pose with King Willem-Alexander, center right, prime minster Rob Jetten, center left, and deputy prime minister Dilan Yesilgöz, front row right, on the steps of Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
From left, Dutch coalition partners Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Rob Jetten of the centrist D66 and Henri Bontenbal of the right-leaning Christian Democrats speak to reporters as they present a coalition deal in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Corder)
Ministers of the new three-party minority government pose with King Willem-Alexander, center right, prime minster Rob Jetten, center left, and deputy prime minister Dilan Yesilgöz, front row right, on the steps of Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Rob Jetten,leader of the Democrats 66, D66, arrives to be sworn in as prime minister by King Willem-Alexander at Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Overview

  • The D66–CDA–VVD coalition begins as a minority in both chambers, forcing negotiations with opposition parties on every bill.
  • The government’s program pledges to meet NATO defense targets and maintain support for Ukraine, financed partly by cuts to welfare and healthcare.
  • An income‑tax surcharge dubbed a “freedom” contribution features in the funding plan, drawing immediate criticism from across the aisle.
  • GreenLeft–Labor leader Jesse Klaver condemned the social cuts as unfair, while PVV leader Geert Wilders vowed to oppose the government’s initiatives.
  • Key appointments include Tom Berendsen as foreign minister, Dilan Yeşilgöz‑Zegerius at defense, and Eelco Heinen continuing as finance minister after the swearing‑in by King Willem‑Alexander at Huis ten Bosch.