Rob Jetten Sworn In As Youngest, First Gay Dutch Prime Minister
Rob Jetten, 38, was sworn in leading a minority three-party coalition that holds 66 of 150 lower-house seats, requiring vote-by-vote negotiations for reforms.
Overview
Rob Jetten, 38, was sworn in as prime minister by King Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace, and his new cabinet began work with a first Cabinet meeting that afternoon.
Jetten leads a minority three-party coalition of D66, VVD and CDA that holds 66 of the lower house's 150 seats after a narrow October election win for D66.
Opposition leader Geert Wilders has said he will oppose Jetten's initiatives, the merged Green Left and Labor Party has signaled it will push for changes, and Extinction Rebellion protested during the swearing-in ceremony.
The coalition's program includes an extra €19 billion for defence, planned cuts in healthcare and benefits, and a proposal to require refugees to apply for asylum outside Europe.
With no majority in either chamber, Jetten will have to negotiate support vote by vote for major reforms and has pledged to continue military spending and strong support for Kyiv.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Jetten as a youthful, personable, and progressive consensus-builder, emphasizing novelty (youngest, first openly gay), personal anecdotes (nickname “Robot,” relaxed demeanor, partner photos) and policy highlights (climate package) while glossing over sustained criticism or detailed opposition, producing a humanizing, upbeat narrative.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Rob Jetten, 38, is the leader of the centrist D66 party. He previously served as climate minister under Mark Rutte, entered Parliament in 2017 after working at ProRail, and overcame early criticism as 'Robot Jetten' with a positive 'Het kan wel' campaign.
The minority coalition consists of D66 (led by Jetten), VVD (liberals), and CDA (centre-right), holding 66 of 150 seats in the lower house.
Key policies include €19 billion extra for defence, cuts in healthcare and benefits, continued military spending and support for Ukraine, and requiring refugees to apply for asylum outside Europe.
D66 won a narrow victory in the October 2025 snap election after Geert Wilders' PVV withdrew from the prior coalition, with Jetten's positive campaign defeating far-right populism by a razor-thin margin.
As a minority government with 66 seats, it must negotiate vote-by-vote support for reforms; faces opposition from Geert Wilders' PVV, Green Left-Labor, and protests by Extinction Rebellion.
History
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