Rob Jetten Sworn In as Dutch Prime Minister at Huis ten Bosch Palace

On 23/02/2026, Rob Jetten was officially sworn in as Prime Minister of the Netherlands by Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace. At 38 years old, Jetten became the youngest Prime Minister in Dutch history and the country’s first openly gay head of government. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal conclusion of coalition negotiations that followed months of political uncertainty after the 2025 snap general election. Jetten leads a three-party minority coalition composed of Democrats 66, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, and Christian Democratic Appeal. The coalition controls 66 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, requiring the government to seek support from opposition parties to pass legislation. The cabinet consists of 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries. Key appointments include Dilan Yeşilgöz as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Bart van den Brink as Deputy Prime Minister, Eelco Heinen as Minister of Finance, and Tom Berendsen as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The government formation followed the snap general election held on 29/10/2025, which was triggered by the collapse of the previous Schoof cabinet in June 2025 amid disagreements over asylum policy. The formation process lasted approximately 117 days. In the election, D66 emerged as joint-largest party alongside the Party for Freedom, positioning Jetten to lead coalition negotiations. The minority arrangement reflects the fragmented parliamentary landscape and the need for issue-based cooperation. The coalition agreement, titled “Getting to Work!”, outlines several policy priorities. On defense, the government plans significant increases in military spending, partially financed through a new “freedom contribution” tax. Social policy proposals include reducing the duration of unemployment benefits and accelerating the scheduled rise in the state pension age. On climate and housing, the cabinet reaffirmed commitments to emissions reduction targets and proposed large-scale residential construction, including plans for new urban developments to address the housing shortage. The swearing-in ceremony at Huis ten Bosch Palace formalized the start of Jetten’s premiership and the beginning of a minority government that will depend on cross-party negotiations to advance its legislative agenda.