Rob Jetten Sworn In as Youngest Dutch Prime Minister to Lead Historic Minority Government

On Monday, February 23, 2026, the political landscape of the Netherlands witnessed a landmark shift at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. King Willem-Alexander officially swore in Rob Jetten, the leader of the D66 party, as the nation's new Prime Minister. At just 38 years old, Jetten has secured his place in history as the youngest individual to ever hold the office, while also becoming the first openly gay head of government in Dutch history.

This historic appointment follows a grueling 117-day cabinet formation process, which was triggered by the snap elections held in October 2025. Those elections were necessitated by the collapse of Dick Schoof’s previous administration in June 2025, a downfall caused by deep-seated internal conflicts regarding asylum and migration policies. The resulting political vacuum has now been filled by a minority coalition, marking a significant departure from traditional Dutch governance and ending months of uncertainty.

The new administration is a centrist-led minority coalition comprising Jetten’s D66, the center-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Together, these three parties control only 66 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. This precarious mathematical reality means the Jetten government will be forced to engage in constant, rigorous negotiations with various opposition factions to pass any meaningful legislation, representing the first minority government for the country in eight decades.

Academic observers, including Professor Sarah de Lange of Leiden University, have noted that while this government leans less to the right than its predecessor, it maintains a distinct "right-wing imprint" regarding fiscal priorities and budget cuts. Furthermore, there is a notable continuity in migration strategies despite the change in leadership. The cabinet features several familiar faces alongside strategic new appointments: Tom Berendsen of the CDA has taken the helm at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius of the VVD has been appointed Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister.

Under the leadership of Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, the defense ministry is poised to oversee a significant expansion, with plans to increase military spending to 3.5% of the national GDP by 2035. Jetten himself is no stranger to high-level governance, having previously served as the Minister for Climate and Energy Policy in the Rutte cabinet until 2024. Once nicknamed "Robot Jetten" for his perceived stiff and rehearsed communication style, the new Prime Minister has recently adopted a more relaxed and personable demeanor that has resonated well with the public and contributed to his rising popularity.

The broader historical context reveals a period of intense political fragmentation within the Netherlands, as Jetten’s administration marks the third new cabinet in less than four years. He breaks a long-standing record held by Ruud Lubbers, who became Prime Minister in 1982 at the age of 43. However, the path forward remains fraught with challenges, as far-right parties—most notably Geert Wilders’ PVV—now command nearly a third of the seats in parliament, presenting a formidable obstacle to the coalition's legislative agenda and social policies.

Even as the inauguration ceremony took place, the new government faced immediate pressure from civil society. Activists from Extinction Rebellion staged protests nearby, demanding that Jetten uphold his previous climate commitments and criticizing the decision to maintain restrictive migration policies. As Jetten seeks to reposition the Netherlands "at the heart of Europe" through increased international cooperation, his personal life remains a point of public interest; his fiancé, Nicolas Keenan, recently made headlines by winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.