Jetten I Cabinet on the steps: new term of office begins

This morning, the new cabinet stood on the steps of Huis ten Bosch Palace. With the swearing-in by King Willem-Alexander, Cabinet Jetten I has officially begun after 117 days of formation. The demissionary cabinet is now a thing of the past. Later today, the first cabinet meeting will take place and the team will present itself to the press at the Catshuis.

This is a remarkable cabinet in several respects. Rob Jetten is not only the first member of D66 to become prime minister, but also the youngest prime minister ever. Moreover, he leads a minority cabinet without a formal coalition partner, a construction that we have not seen since WWII. This means that every piece of legislation, every budget proposal and every reform will have to find political support in the House of Representatives.

A team with experience and surprises

The Jetten I Cabinet has 28 members: 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries. The coalition of D66, VVD and CDA has opted for a mix of familiar faces from The Hague and notable appointments from outside national politics.

The VVD’s choice of Dilan Yeşilgöz immediately catches the eye. The party leader, who is also vice-president in the new cabinet, is leaving the House of Representatives for the Ministry of Defence – the only department that will receive billions in additional funding in the coming years. With this move, the VVD is emphatically positioning itself on security and international stability. Eelco Heinen, the economist who likes to model himself on Gerrit Zalm and monitors budgetary discipline, will remain at the Ministry of Finance.

D66 is focusing heavily on both experience and innovation. Rianne Letschert, until recently chair of Maastricht University and informateur during this formation, is moving to Education, Culture and Science. Hans Vijlbrief will be tasked with making financially sensitive decisions at Social Affairs and Employment. And at Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Jaimi van Essen (D66) – a young councillor from Deventer – is a relative newcomer to one of the most challenging dossiers of the moment: nitrogen, nature restoration and the future of agriculture

The CDA has opted for a combination of political experience and governmental renewal. Pieter Heerma returns to a prominent role at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. At the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Heleen Herbert is making the transition from the business world to national politics. Bart van den Brink (CDA) has been appointed Minister of Asylum and Migration and Deputy Prime Minister. As an experienced force behind the scenes and right-hand man to party leader Henri Bontenbal during the formation of the coalition, he is considered a confidant within the party.

It is also noteworthy that Sandra Palmen will remain as party-less State Secretary for Benefits Recovery. She was previously affiliated with NSC, but will continue her work to complete the recovery operation surrounding the benefits scandal – a choice that emphatically prioritises continuity over party politics.

Economy, climate and digitisation under one roof

Even before being sworn in, the cabinet met last weekend for its constituent meeting, during which the exact division of tasks and working arrangements were laid down. Several administrative priorities immediately became apparent, which are also highlighted in the final report by formateur Jetten that was sent to the House of Representatives.

The separate ministries of Asylum and Migration, Housing and Spatial Planning, and Climate and Green Growth will be returned to their original departments: Justice and Security, Interior and Kingdom Relations, and Economic Affairs, respectively. In doing so, the cabinet is opting for less administrative fragmentation.

At the same time, Economic Affairs will be explicitly broadened. The circular economy (formerly I&W) and digital affairs (formerly BZK) portfolios will move to this department, which will henceforth be officially known as the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate.

Formation completed, the work begins
With the swearing-in ceremony, the formation is formally complete, but the political work is only just beginning. The debate on the government policy statement will follow on 25 and 26 February. Prime Minister Jetten will outline the course of action on behalf of the cabinet. This will be an immediate test for the minority cabinet: motions tabled at the end of the debate and put to the vote immediately will give an initial indication of the political leeway and support of the House of Representatives for the plans set out in the coalition agreement.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the cabinet is being formed. Ministers appoint their political assistants – the crucial link between the House and the ministry – and the departments publish introductory dossiers with information about current policy, legislation and implementation issues. These dossiers are made public and also provide external insight into the policy agenda and organisation.

This effectively marks the start of the term of office. In addition to implementing the coalition agreement, the new cabinet will spend the coming weeks orienting itself and getting to know businesses, implementing organisations and social partners. The starting shot for the new cabinet has been fired, but the real game is only just beginning.