Rob Jetten sworn in as the Netherlands' youngest Prime Minister
Rob Jetten officially began his tenure as the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands on Monday. In doing so, he makes history as the youngest prime minister the country has ever had. The inauguration of his new government took place in The Hague, where the cabinet formally commenced its work.
Jetten's cabinet is a minority government. This means that the parties in the government together hold fewer than half of the seats in the House of Representatives. This presents a major challenge for the new prime minister, as he must seek support from other parties for every plan. Without that assistance, the government cannot pass any new laws.
In the coming period, the new government must immediately get to work on important issues. Major questions regarding the economy, the housing market, and the climate are on the table. Because there is no fixed majority, Jetten will have to spend a lot of time negotiating with the opposition. This process is being closely monitored by political analysts.
Although the start of this government is a significant moment, there are also doubts. Some experts wonder whether a minority cabinet is stable enough to serve its full term. The coming months will show whether Jetten is capable of bringing the various parties in the House together for his plans for the Netherlands.