Amsterdam, 23 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Rob Jetten was sworn in on Monday as the youngest prime minister in Dutch history, the first from his centrist D66 party to hold the office, and the country's first openly gay premier.

King Willem-Alexander administered the oath to 38-year-old Jetten and his Cabinet at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, nearly four months after a snap election.

Jetten formed a coalition with the conservative Christian Democrats and the right-wing VVD. The three parties only hold 66 seats in the 150-member lower house, meaning his minority government will be dependent on votes from the opposition to pass legislation.

Morever, the lower house is highly fragmented and nearly one-third of seats are held by radical right-wing parties.

The Netherlands has little experience with minority governments, and public opinion polls show more than two-thirds doubt the coalition will complete a full four-year term.

Jetten's D66 — a pro-European, socially liberal party that campaigned on climate policy, more affordable housing and a tougher stance on migration — pulled off an upset victory in the October 29 election, narrowly defeating the far-right populist Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders.

The government has already announced plans for deep spending cuts in the social welfare and health care systems, while pledging billions of euros in additional defence investment.

The previous government under Dick Schoof, which included the PVV, collapsed after only 11 months when Wilders withdrew support amid a dispute over asylum legislation. Established parties have since ruled out renewed cooperation with him, and his parliamentary group has splintered following an internal revolt.

Jetten is engaged to be married to Nicolás Keenan, a two-time Olympian and field hockey player from Argentina. He currently plays for the Dutch club HC Klein Zwitserland.

Photo: EPA