Netherlands Set to Swear In New Centrist Government Under Rob Jetten

Amsterdam, Feb 2026 : The Netherlands is set to swear in a new coalition government on Monday, marking the beginning of a fresh political chapter under centrist Prime Minister Rob Jetten. At 38, Jetten becomes one of the youngest leaders in the country’s modern political history, heading a coalition that brings together his centrist D66 party with the centre-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

The new cabinet reflects a carefully negotiated power-sharing arrangement, with key ministries distributed among coalition partners to balance ideological priorities and ensure stability. While the VVD has secured several heavyweight portfolios such as defence, justice and finance, the CDA has been entrusted with interior affairs and foreign policy. D66, led by Jetten, will oversee crucial areas including education and agriculture, sectors central to the Netherlands’ long-term social and economic agenda.

Foreign Affairs: Tom Berendsen

The post of foreign minister will be held by Tom Berendsen, a 42-year-old CDA leader with significant European experience. Berendsen has served as a Member of the European Parliament since 2019 and was the face of the CDA’s campaign in the 2024 European elections. Known within party circles as calm and approachable, he has built a reputation for consensus-building across political and cultural divides.

Originally from the southern city of Breda, Berendsen is described by the CDA as a strong advocate of both Dutch and European interests. Before entering politics, he worked as a sustainability consultant with PwC in the Netherlands, a background that may shape his approach to climate diplomacy and economic cooperation within the European Union.

Defence: Dilan Yesilgoz

The defence ministry will be led by Dilan Yesilgoz, who made history in 2023 as the first woman to head the VVD, succeeding former prime minister Mark Rutte. At 48, Yesilgoz is among the most prominent figures in the new cabinet and played a decisive role in post-election coalition negotiations.

Born in Ankara, Turkey, Yesilgoz moved to the Netherlands as a child after her father, a Kurdish human rights activist, sought asylum. She previously served as justice minister between 2022 and 2024 in the fourth Rutte cabinet, where she gained attention for her tough stance on crime, organised criminal networks and immigration. Her appointment to defence underscores the VVD’s influence in shaping the country’s security and foreign policy outlook.

Justice: David van Weel

The justice portfolio will be handled by David van Weel, a former naval officer and seasoned administrator. Van Weel, 49, held several ministerial roles in the previous government led by Dick Schoof, including a prior stint as justice minister.

During his earlier tenure, Van Weel drew public attention by advocating legal limits on demonstrations, arguing for a clearer distinction between peaceful protest and disruptive actions such as road blockades staged by climate groups like Extinction Rebellion. Following violent incidents involving local residents and Israeli football supporters in Amsterdam in November 2024, he postponed and later strengthened the Netherlands’ national strategy to combat antisemitism.

Finance: Eelco Heinen

Continuity is a defining feature of the finance ministry, which remains under Eelco Heinen. At 44, Heinen has held the post since July 2024 and is widely regarded as a fiscal conservative. While presenting the 2025 budget, he declared that the “time of free money is really over,” signalling a tighter approach to public spending.

Heinen has consistently argued for restoring order to the country’s finances, stating that reduced expenditure is essential to protect household incomes and prevent future generations from bearing excessive debt. His reappointment reassures markets and coalition partners seeking fiscal discipline amid global economic uncertainty.

Interior: Pieter Heerma

The interior ministry will be led by Pieter Heerma of the CDA. A former judoka, Heerma won two Dutch junior championships and placed fifth at the 1996 Junior World Championships. Now 48, he brings extensive parliamentary experience, having served as a CDA MP since 2012.

His career includes two terms as parliamentary leader and several senior party roles. Notably, Heerma made history as the CDA’s first non-Christian parliamentary leader, reflecting the party’s evolving identity in a more secular Dutch society.

Agriculture: Jaimi van Essen

One of the most challenging portfolios, agriculture, will be overseen by Jaimi van Essen of D66. Born in 1991, Van Essen is among the youngest ministers in the cabinet and faces the daunting task of navigating the Netherlands’ long-running nitrogen emissions crisis.

Court rulings have mandated sharp reductions in nitrogen pollution, much of which comes from intensive livestock farming. These measures have sparked widespread farmer protests and political tension. Van Essen, a former local politician from Deventer, takes over the ministry from the right-wing populist BBB farmers’ party, which lost seats in the October 2025 election.

As the new government prepares to take office, the composition of Jetten’s cabinet highlights a blend of experience, generational change and political balance—setting the stage for a potentially transformative period in Dutch governance.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)