Rob Jetten has made history as the Netherlands’ youngest-ever prime minister at 38 and the country’s first openly gay leader.
The leader of Democrats 66 (D66) assumed office on Monday after his minority government was formally sworn in at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, with King Willem-Alexander officiating the ceremony.
Jetten’s D66 narrowly outpaced far-right politician Geert Wilders in the October elections. He has since formed a centre-right minority coalition with the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).
As a minority cabinet, all major policies—from an extra €19 billion for defence to healthcare and social benefit reforms—will require negotiation in both parliamentary chambers.
The government also intends to implement stricter asylum rules, mandating that refugees apply for asylum outside Europe rather than after arrival, a proposal that has sparked debate. Opposition groups, including Wilders’ bloc and the GreenLeft-Labour coalition, have raised concerns over planned financial and social reforms.
Ahead of his swearing-in, Jetten shared a message of unity and responsibility on social media:
“By not dwelling on what’s wrong, but by building on what can be improved. That requires courage and collaboration.”
Shedding his “Robot Jetten” image, the new prime minister projects an approachable, optimistic, and pro-European Union persona, in stark contrast to his far-right rivals.
Jetten now faces the task of implementing ambitious reforms while maintaining cohesion within his minority coalition, as the Netherlands embarks on a new chapter under its youngest-ever leader.
