D66, CDA and VVD agree in principle to govern with 66 seats as Rob Jetten set to become Netherlands’ youngest prime minister, according to a report
The leaders of three Dutch political parties said on Tuesday they had reached a provisional agreement to form a minority coalition government, ending months of negotiations following last October’s election.
According to a Politico report, the centrist Democrats 66 (D66), which emerged as the largest party, will govern alongside the centre-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Together, the three parties would control 66 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament, leaving them 10 seats short of a majority — an uncommon arrangement in Dutch politics.
D66 leader Rob Jetten, 38, is set to become the youngest prime minister in the Netherlands’ history.
Appearing with the leaders of the CDA and VVD on Tuesday night, Jetten said the parties still had “a few final details” to resolve before formally presenting their coalition agreement on Friday, but expressed confidence that a deal was within reach.
“We’re really looking forward to getting started,” Politico quoted Jetten as saying.
He added the new government’s priorities would be affordable housing, controlling migration and investing in defense.
The Cabinet could be sworn in by the Dutch king by the end of February, reported Politico.
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz, a former justice minister, said she has yet to decide whether she will take a role in the new government.
The October election delivered a breakthrough for D66, which narrowly finished ahead of Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV).
The PVV had previously been the largest party in a coalition government that was plagued by internal divisions and ultimately collapsed after Wilders withdrew his party’s support during a dispute over asylum policy.
With inputs from agencies
End of Article
