The Hague, 23 February (HS): A new minority coalition government in the Netherlands took office on Monday under the leadership of 38-year-old Rob Jetten, the country’s youngest Prime Minister.

Jetten heads a three-party coalition comprising his centrist D66 party, the Christian Democrats and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy. Together, the parties hold 66 of the 150 seats in the lower house of Parliament, requiring the government to seek support from opposition lawmakers to pass legislation.

In a message posted on X, Jetten described it as “an enormous honor” to begin work as Prime Minister. He and his ministers were sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at the royal palace near The Hague. The King wished the new administration success “in uncertain times.”

The new government assumed office 117 days after national elections in which Jetten’s party secured a narrow lead over the Party for Freedom led by Geert Wilders. The final result was determined after counting postal ballots, marking the fourth national election since 2017.

The coalition faces the task of negotiating with opposition parties for legislative support. The largest opposition bloc, formed by the merger of the Green Left and Labor Party, has indicated it will seek changes to certain policy proposals.

Outside the palace during the swearing-in ceremony, a small group of demonstrators from the Extinction Rebellion environmental group staged a protest.

The new Cabinet is scheduled to hold its first meeting later in the day. The government takes office amid geopolitical tensions in Europe, with Jetten pledging continued support for Ukraine and sustained investment in the Dutch military.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar