Jetten Cabinet Set for Sunday Swearing-In as Netherlands Prepares for First D66 Prime Minister

The Netherlands is preparing for a historic transition as the Jetten I Cabinet prepares to be sworn in by King Willem-Alexander on Sunday, February 23, marking the beginning of a new era in Dutch politics.

Historic Firsts

Rob Jetten will become both the youngest Prime Minister in modern Dutch history and the first openly gay leader of the Netherlands. The D66 leader, who turned 38 this year, has led his party through a remarkable electoral recovery following years in opposition.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place in the morning at Huis ten Bosch Palace, followed by the traditional photo opportunity with the King on the palace steps. The first Cabinet meeting is scheduled for that afternoon.

Cabinet Composition

The Jetten I Cabinet will consist of 28 members: 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries. D66 holds seven ministerial posts, the VVD six, and the CDA five.

Key appointments include:

Former VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz will serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Finance Minister Eelco Heinen retains his position from the outgoing Schoof cabinet. Tom Berendsen (CDA) becomes Foreign Minister, while David van Weel (VVD) returns to his previous role as Justice Minister. Bart van den Brink (CDA) will handle the sensitive Asylum and Migration portfolio.

Minority Government Challenges

The D66-VVD-CDA coalition holds just 66 seats in the 150-seat Tweede Kamer, making it the first intentional minority government in modern Dutch history. The parties will need to build issue-by-issue majorities with opposition parties to pass legislation.

"The new cabinet team is going to have to work hard," Jetten acknowledged. "But we think we can do it."

Policy Priorities

The coalition agreement, titled "Aan de slag" (Get started), outlines priorities including climate action, housing construction, and healthcare reform. Controversial measures include raising the state pension age and increasing the healthcare deductible, which sparked opposition criticism during parliamentary debates.

End of Schoof Era

The outgoing demissionary Schoof cabinet will formally conclude its duties on Sunday. The Schoof government, which took office in July 2024, collapsed in June 2025 after the PVV withdrew from the coalition over asylum policy disagreements.