Coalition government: 18 ministers and 10 assistants in the new formation
The three parties that will form the next Dutch government have reached a final agreement on the distribution of 18 ministerial positions and 10 state secretary positions among themselves. The D66 party, as the largest coalition party, will present the new Prime Minister, who will be Rob Jetten, and will also receive the portfolios of foreign trade, development cooperation, housing, education, agriculture, climate, and social affairs.
The VVD party will take over the ministries of Justice, Finance, Defense, Health, Labor, and Infrastructure, while the CDA party will receive Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Interior, Economy, Elderly Care, and Long-term Care. Each of the three parties will receive three positions for State Ministers distributed across several ministries. The tenth position for State Minister is expected to be held by Sandra Baars, an independent, who was tasked in the previous government with addressing the childcare benefits scandal, and is likely to continue in her role.
The current Minister of Finance, Ilko Heinen, will remain in his position in the new government, ensuring continuity in managing the financial and economic file. The upcoming cabinet has chosen not to change the names of ministries or the job titles created by the outgoing government. As a result, the ministers of migration, housing, and climate will continue to work within other existing ministries, but with independent budgets and clear authorities.
Rob Yeten clarified to reporters that the coalition's goal is to form a "decisive and cohesive government," adding that this means not creating new ministries or expanding the existing administrative structure. He emphasized that new ministers should be "driven by motivation" and focused on solving the practical problems facing the country. Yeten also stressed that ministers must realize they are compelled to work with the opposition, as the coalition does not have a majority in either chamber of parliament, which will force the government to seek variable support for every law or major reform.
The remaining names in the ministerial lineup are expected to be finalized – with the possibility of leaks to the media – in the coming days, in preparation for the official presentation of the government to the king on February 23, and possibly earlier if consultations are completed quickly. On the parliamentary front, CDA leader Henry Bontebal announced that he will remain a member of the second chamber of parliament and will not join the government. Meanwhile, D66 needs to choose a new leader for its parliamentary group to replace Rob Jetten after his transition to the prime ministership. The same situation applies to VVD if Dilan Yesilgöz decides to join the cabinet as expected, as she was strongly nominated on Thursday to take over the Ministry of Defense, which could change the balance of leadership within the party and parliament simultaneously.