The Netherlands is set to be governed by a rare minority coalition after party leaders reached an agreement on Tuesday.

The centrist, pro-EU D66, the winner of October’s election, will join forces with the centre-right Christian Democrats and the VVD, holding just 66 of 150 seats in the lower house.

“We’re incredibly eager to get started,” said Rob Jetten, who leads D66 and is likely to be the country’s new prime minister.

Minority government seeks to work with opposition parties

The Netherlands is usually led by majority coalitions, but the heavily fractured political landscape has made it increasingly difficult to assemble one.

The new coalition also lacks a majority in the Senate, meaning it will need opposition support to pass key legislation.

“I am convinced that if we come with good proposals, other parties will be willing to talk,” Jetten, who would be the country’s youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay one, said.

The deal follows Jetten’s narrow victory over Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party in October.

At the time, Jetten said his election showed defeating populist movements is possible when you run a campaign focused on a positive vision for the country.

Party MPs are expected to confirm the pact in the coming days, with a formal presentation due on Friday.

DW