What Happened
Rob Jetten was sworn in as the youngest-ever prime minister of the Netherlands, leading a new minority coalition government formed after 117 days of negotiations. This coalition includes Jetten’s centrist liberal D66 party, the centre-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). The coalition holds only 66 of the 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, necessitating negotiations with opposition lawmakers for legislative approval.
Why It Matters
Jetten’s victory is significant amid rising support for far-right parties in Europe, particularly in France and Germany. His administration’s agenda includes substantial increases in defense spending to meet NATO targets and initiatives to reduce emissions from the livestock industry. However, the coalition faces challenges, as the largest opposition bloc, a merger of the Green Left and Labour Party, has already voiced strong opposition to proposed cuts in healthcare and welfare.
What’s Next
The success of Jetten’s government will depend on its ability to navigate a politically unstable environment, as the Netherlands has been ranked as the third-most governmentally unstable country in Europe. With two governments collapsing in the past four years, the coalition must work diligently to avoid similar pitfalls while pushing through its ambitious agenda.
