After weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations (and one broken printer) in The Hague, the Netherlands’ incoming coalition government is officially getting started — well, next week.
The parliamentary parties of D66, VVD, and CDA have all approved the coalition agreement, fittingly titled “Aan de slag” (Getting Started).
Led by D66 leader and soon-to-be prime minister Rob Jetten, the new coalition has apparently made firm choices on domestic and international security, affordable housing, and more investments in defence, reports NOS.
However, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow (Friday) when they will officially present their plans.
We’ll then have to wait a bit longer for an official cabinet complete with ministers, as Rob Jetten, the upcoming formateur, will start to actually build his team next week.
Parties feeling positive
According to party leaders, the mood was positive, to say the least.
Jetten admitted there were still a few “small points” and “tweaks” to discuss, but assured the media that they won’t lead to any issues.
“We’ve already been testing each other’s limits quite a bit these past few weeks,” Jetten said on Tuesday.
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz shared that her party is feeling “very positive” about their meeting.
Meanwhile, CDA leader Henri Bontenbal took the longest time to read “a very large document.” When asked if he was proud of the agreement, Bontenbal replied to NOS:
“I think so. I’m allowed to stay, so I think it will be fine.”
— Dilan Yesilgöz – Zegerius (@DilanYesilgoz) January 28, 2026
Translation: “Coalition is in agreement.”
It’s a minority cabinet, and that will be a challenge
While the complete “Getting Started” agreement will be presented on Friday, the cabinet’s priorities are clear.
The need for more affordable housing, stricter control over migration (the “VVD stamp” on the agreement) and higher investments in defence and security.
As the face of a minority coalition, Jetten affirms that the problems of now mustn’t be passed on to future generations.
But despite their best intentions, it remains to be seen if the new cabinet can deliver on its promises.
They only have 66 seats, and they need at least 76 to get things through parliament, which means that they have to hustle and haggle for every law they want to pass.
The same also applies to the Dutch Senate. There, the new coalition also falls short.
Let’s see what they have in store for us tomorrow and how it goes down with the rest of parliament.
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