Netherlands to swear in Rob Jetten as youngest, first homosexual PM

The new government of the Netherlands will take the oath on February 23, with 38-year-old centrist Rob Jetten becoming the youngest prime minister in the country’s history and its first openly homosexual head of government.

Jetten narrowly defeated the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders in the October elections, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Early elections were called after the PVV exited the previous coalition, which had lasted only 11 months.

Jetten’s party, Democrats 66 (D66), formed a coalition with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

Although the coalition holds just 66 parliamentary seats, nine short of a majority, it was established in 117 days—far quicker than the 223 days it took the previous government.

After the election, Jetten emphasised that populism can be countered through a positive national agenda. 

During the campaign, he focused on repositioning the Netherlands at the heart of Europe, stressing that progress is impossible without European cooperation. In January, the three coalition parties published a manifesto pledging full support for Ukraine and fulfilment of the country’s NATO spending commitments.

Analysts note the new government maintains a centre-right course, planning tighter migration policies, reduced social benefits, and increased defence investment. Major reforms will require opposition support, potentially slowing implementation.

Jetten and his cabinet will be sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at Huis Ten Bosch in The Hague. Jetten initially considered a broader coalition including the centre-left GroenLinks, but this was opposed by Dilan Yesilgöz, leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy.

While the far-right PVV lost ground, other right-wing parties, including Forum for Democracy and JA21, strengthened their positions, though they did not join the cabinet.

By Jeyhun Aghazada