The "hunger games" of Dutch politics have indeed begun with the swearing-in of the Jetten I cabinet on February 23, 2026. This new administration marks several historic firsts but faces a precarious survival battle in a fractured parliament.

The Dutch have a new government. Now the hunger games begin.

The "hunger games" of Dutch politics have indeed begun with the swearing-in of the Jetten I cabinet on February 23, 2026. This new administration marks several historic firsts but faces a precarious survival battle in a fractured parliament.

 

Here is the state of play for the new government:

The Leadership: At 38, Rob Jetten (D66) is the Netherlands’ youngest-ever Prime Minister and the first who is openly gay. He leads a three-party coalition consisting of his centrist D66, the center-right VVD, and the CDA.

A Minority Mandate: The coalition holds only 66 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. This means the "hunger games" refers to the constant need to scavenge for support from opposition parties for every piece of legislation.

The Road to Power: This government follows the collapse of the previous Schoof cabinet in June 2025 after Geert Wilders' PVV withdrew over asylum policy. In the subsequent October 2025 election, D66 emerged as the joint-largest party, narrowly edging out the PVV in total votes.

Key Friction Points:

Pensions: The government plans to accelerate the increase of the retirement age (AOW) so that people in their 30s may not retire until 70.

Healthcare: While previous governments aimed to lower the health insurance deductible, this cabinet plans to raise it to €460 by 2027.

Defense & EU: Jetten has pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP and keep the Netherlands "at the heart of Europe".

Migration: Despite its centrist leadership, the coalition maintains a "right-wing signature" on immigration, including stricter rules on family reunification.