Rob Jetten Rises as Netherlands’ Youngest Prime Minister

Democrats 66 (D66) leader Rob Jetten has officially become the youngest and first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands after his minority government was sworn in today.

The 38-year-old secured victory in October’s tightly fought election, with Democrats 66 (D66) narrowly defeating anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders.

Jetten has formed a center-right minority coalition with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA). Because it is a minority cabinet, every major reform will need support from both houses of parliament. That includes a planned €19 billion boost in defense spending and difficult cuts to healthcare and social benefits.

Migration is expected to be one of the toughest issues ahead. The coalition aims to reduce the number of asylum seekers by requiring refugees to apply outside Europe instead of after arrival. Asylum policy has long divided Dutch politics and played a role in bringing down the country’s last two governments.

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Rob Jetten takes over from Dick Schoof, whose administration was one of the shortest in Dutch history. Under the coalition agreement, D66 will hold seven minister posts, VVD six, and CDA five, along with three state secretaries each.

Jetten was formally sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. Posting a selfie ahead of the ceremony, Jetten wrote on X: "Proud to be doing this together. In a new phase, with great responsibility and, above all, a shared promise to work for everyone in the Netherlands.

"By not dwelling on what's wrong, but by building on what can be improved. That requires courage and collaboration."