The Netherlands has officially sworn in a new coalition government led by 38-year-old Prime Minister Rob Jetten from the D66 party, concluding a 117-day formation process. King Willem-Alexander presided over the ceremonial inauguration at Huis ten Bosch Palace, followed by the traditional balcony photo session and the cabinet’s first ministerial meeting.
The installation comes immediately after the publication of an independent financial analysis of the coalition agreement by the Central Planning Bureau and Environmental Assessment Agency. The assessment reveals concerning economic disparities: while average purchasing power shows slight improvement, lower-income households will experience relative decline. Without the new measures, their financial position would have strengthened more significantly.
Key concerns include the healthcare deductible increase from €385 to €460 annually, which disproportionately affects lower incomes, and reductions in unemployment and disability benefits that diminish income security. Trade union FNV summarized the situation: “The lower your income, the higher the bill.” CNV warned about risks in scaling back safety nets for disabled workers.
Simultaneously, defense spending increases substantially, bringing Netherlands in line with NATO’s new 5% of GDP target. Education also receives additional funding, though national debt is projected to rise long-term due to investments in defense, housing, and climate initiatives.
On climate and nitrogen reduction, the planning agencies indicate proposed measures remain insufficient to fully achieve targets.
The Dutch model uniquely integrates independent financial assessment directly into government formation, exposing economic consequences before political finalization. This contrasts with many countries, including Suriname, where coalition agreements primarily function as political documents with financial implications emerging later during budget cycles.