ALDE Party members D66 and VVD were successful in forming, along with CDA (EPP) a government for the Netherlands. And for the first time in history, this is a minority government without formal support from a parliamentary party. The coalition formed in almost half the time it took the last government, taking just 117 days to come to agreement.
The October elections saw liberals successfully defeat far-right leader Geert Wilders – a success story amidst the wave of European populism. In the end, positive political messaging brought people together instead of polarisation and far-right fearmongering.
The positive campaign worked: D66 almost tripled its representation, securing a total of 26 seats in the new parliament.
Rob Jetten, leader of D66 at just 38, now acts as a beacon of hope for liberals everywhere: as he is set to become the country’s youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister.
Sworn in by Dutch King Willem-Alexander in the Hague, the new coalition government has ambitious plans – from raising defence spending, to cutting emissions from the livestock industry, to tightening migration laws.
With this week marking four years since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Jetten’s government vows to continue the strong support in the face of Putin’s Russia. He plans to increase defence funding to meet the NATO spending commitments amidst geopolitical ambiguity.
Jetten shared a post during the swearing in process, saying:
“Proud to be able to do this together. In a new phase, with great responsibility and above all a shared promise to commit ourselves to everyone in the Netherlands.”
Liberals are pushing for a progressive cabinet, with D66 providing the Prime Minister, six ministers and three state secretaries and VVD providing a Deputy Prime Minister, six ministers and three state secretaries.
The list of new D66 ministers:
- Rob Jetten - D66 Party Leader - Prime Minister
- Elanor Boekholt O'Sullivan - Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning
- Rianne Letschert - Minister of Education, Culture and Science
- Stientje van Veldhoven - Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth
- Jaimi van Essen - Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
- Sjoerd Sjoerdsma - Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
- Hans Vijlbrief - Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
- Claudia van Bruggen - State Secretary for Legal Protection and Prisons
- Willemijn Aerdts - State Secretary for the Digital Economy and Digital Sovereignty
- Eelco Eerenberg - State Secretary for Tax Affairs
The list of new VVD ministers:
- Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius- VVD Party Leader - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence
- Eelco Heinen - Minister of Finance
- David van Weel - Minister of Justice and Security
- Thierry Aartsen - Minister of Work and Participation
- Vincent Karremans - Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management
- Sophie Hermans - Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport
- Eric van der Burg - State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government
- Judith Tielen - State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science
- Silvio Erkens - State Secretary for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture
Stay up to date as D66 has its annual party Congress this weekend on 28 February 2026, where Rob Jetten will give his first remarks as the country’s Prime Minister.