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New Dutch Government Sworn In at Palace Huis ten Bosch

New Dutch Government Sworn In at Palace Huis ten Bosch

The new ministers and state secretaries were sworn in at the Orange Room at Palace Huis ten Bosch. Rob Jetten has become the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

The new ministers and state secretaries of the Dutch government were sworn in at the Orange Room at Palace Huis ten Bosch. The newly appointed officials took the oath or promise, and the nationwide moment of transition to the new cabinet took place once all ministers had been sworn in. Ministers who served in the previous cabinet did not need to be sworn in again.

The new Dutch government sworn in at Huis ten Bosch The new government is sworn in at the Orange Room at Palace Huis ten Bosch. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

Rob Jetten has become the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands after his minority government was sworn in. The 38-year-old claimed victory in October's election, with his Democrats 66 party (D66) narrowly beating anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders in a nail-biting election.

Rob Jetten and the new Dutch government The new Prime Minister and government at Huis ten Bosch. Photo: The Dutch Royal House

Jetten formed a centre-right minority government with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA). As a minority cabinet, every major reform in the coalition deal – from an extra €19 billion for defence to painful cuts in healthcare and benefits – will have to be negotiated vote by vote in the Netherlands' two parliamentary houses.

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