The Netherlands has entered a new political chapter as 38-year-old Rob Jetten was officially sworn in as prime minister.
The centrist leader not only becomes the country’s youngest-ever prime minister, but also the first openly gay Dutch leader. Moreover, his rise to power followed a dramatic and unexpected election victory.
The Rob Jetten sworn in as Dutch Prime Minister moment comes 117 days after the general election.
Jetten stunned political observers in October when he edged out the far-right Party for Freedom, led by Geert Wilders, by a razor-thin margin. His Democrats’ 66 (D66) party managed to pull ahead despite trailing earlier in the race.
He succeeds Dick Schoof, whose government collapsed in the summer of 2025. That collapse triggered snap elections and opened the door for a reshaped political landscape.
Meanwhile, Jetten now leads a coalition made up of D66, the center-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Together, the three parties hold 66 out of 150 seats in parliament. However, that slim margin means opposition backing will be needed to pass key laws.
The Rob Jetten sworn in as Dutch Prime Minister development signals a shift toward centrist governance.
Jetten’s administration has already outlined major policy priorities. A significant increase in defense spending has been proposed. Billions of euros are expected to be invested to meet NATO’s target of 5 percent of gross domestic product.
Furthermore, the government plans to push forward with efforts to reduce emissions from the Netherlands’ large livestock industry. These reforms have been closely watched both domestically and across the European Union.
Nevertheless, Jetten’s historic appointment has been widely recognized as a milestone.
