The Dutch parties that won the parliamentary elections announced, three months after the vote, that they have reached an agreement to form a new government, under which the Kurdish politician Dilan Dilan Yesilgöz will assume the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Netherlands.
Dilan Yesilgöz’s appointment, following internal consultations within her party, comes as a landmark move, as she becomes the first person of Kurdish origin to hold the defence portfolio in the country. She is the leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), while the new government will be headed by Prime Minister-designate Rob Jetten.
Afgelopen dagen hebben we als partij goed gekeken hoe we de verschillende posten zullen vervullen. Voor mij betekent het dat ik als vicepremier en als minister dan Defensie aan de slag zal gaan voor Nederland.
Dagelijks zien wij hoe onze vrijheid en ons leven in veiligheid,… pic.twitter.com/41Q16RKTwN
— Dilan Yesilgöz – Zegerius (@DilanYesilgoz) February 5, 2026
Dilan Yeşilgöz is considered one of the most prominent political figures in the Netherlands. She previously served as Minister of Justice and Security, as well as State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate, and is regarded as one of the most influential women in Dutch politics.
Yeşilgöz comes from a Kurdish family. Her father, Yücel Yeşilgöz, a researcher and university professor in criminology, hails from Dersim in Kurdistan, Turkey, and was for many years active within the Kurdish diaspora in the Netherlands to raise awareness of the Kurdish cause. Her mother, of Turkish origin, is also known for her advocacy for Kurdish rights.
Dilan Yesilgöz has long spoken with pride about her Kurdish roots and, in recent years, has taken clearer public positions on Kurdish issues. During the attacks targeting Kurdish regions in Rojava, she stated that “violence against Kurds and other components in Syria must be stopped,” stressing that “these heroic Kurds, who made tremendous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, are now facing attacks and humiliation.”
Worrying developments in Syria. Violence against Kurds and other minorities must stop. Brave Kurds, who gave everything in the fight against terror, are now becoming victims of brutal abuse and humiliation. I expect our security services to do everything in their power to prevent…
— Dilan Yesilgöz – Zegerius (@DilanYesilgoz) January 21, 2026
Her appointment as Minister of Defence comes at a time when the Netherlands plays an active role within the international coalition against ISIS, maintaining ongoing coordination between the Dutch armed forces and the Kurdistan Region, particularly in supporting and reforming the Peshmerga forces. This is expected to open a new phase of cooperation between Amsterdam and Erbil, especially in the fields of defence and security.
The new government is expected to officially assume its duties on 23 February, amid complex regional and international political and security challenges.
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