Rob Jetten sworn in as youngest Dutch PM

Rob Jetten was sworn in on Monday as head of the new Dutch government, becoming at the same time the youngest prime minister in the history of the Netherlands, the first from his centrist party Democrats 66 (D66) to hold the post, and the country’s first openly gay prime minister, dpa reports.

Jetten, 38, and his cabinet were inaugurated in a ceremony led by Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, nearly four months after early elections,CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Rob Jetten formed a coalition with the conservative Christian Democrats from Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). The three parties together hold only 66 seats in the 150-seat lower house, meaning his minority government will depend on opposition votes to pass legislation.

Moreover, the lower chamber is highly fragmented, and nearly one-third of the seats are held by radical far-right parties, dpa notes.

The Netherlands has limited experience with minority governments, and public opinion polls show that more than two-thirds of Dutch citizens doubt the current coalition will be able to complete a full four-year term.

Jetten’s D66 — a pro-European, social-liberal party whose campaign focused on climate policy, more affordable housing, and a tougher stance on migration — achieved a surprise victory in the October 29 elections, narrowly defeating the far-right populist Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders.

The new executive has already announced plans for drastic spending cuts in welfare and healthcare systems, while at the same time promising billions of euros in additional defense investments.

The previous government, led by Dick Schoof, which also included the PVV, collapsed after just 11 months when Wilders withdrew his support amid a dispute over asylum legislation. Mainstream parties subsequently ruled out renewed cooperation with him, and his parliamentary group fractured following an internal revolt.

The new prime minister, Rob Jetten, is engaged to Nicolás Keenan, an Argentine field hockey player who has competed in two Olympic Games. Keenan currently plays for the Dutch club HC Klein Zwitserland.