Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten, 38, is poised to become the youngest and first openly gay prime minister in the Netherlands’ history following his party D66’s strong showing in Wednesday’s election. With his party on track to win the most votes, Jetten is expected to be first in line to form a coalition government.
During the campaign, Jetten reinvented his public image from a climate-focused minister to an optimistic “yes, we can” politician. He expanded his platform beyond D66’s traditional social-liberal priorities of climate change and education to address divisive issues such as immigration and the housing crisis, attracting voters who had previously leaned toward right-wing parties.
Jetten criticised far-right leader Geert Wilders for “hijacking” Dutch identity, accusing him of highlighting women’s and LGBTQ rights only to cast Muslims negatively. On election day, Jetten posted on Instagram, calling for positive forces to prevail: “Together we can beat Wilders, I am ready.”
Kajsa Ollongren, a D66 member and former defence minister, praised Jetten, saying, “Rob is without a doubt one of the most talented politicians the Netherlands has ever had. If the exit polls are correct, he’ll seek to unite the country and reverse the negative spiral Wilders has promoted.”
Jetten’s sexuality, while historic, has not been a central campaign issue. The Netherlands has long been known for strong LGBTQ protections, having become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage 25 years ago under a D66-led government.
His personal life also attracted attention when a viral TikTok in 2021 led him to meet his fiancé, Argentinian hockey player Nicolas Keenan. The couple plans to marry next August.
On policy, Jetten has emphasised cooperation between political parties and condemned extremism and fear-mongering. He proposes that asylum applications be submitted from outside the EU to curb illegal migration while expanding integration programs for genuine refugees.
To tackle the country’s housing shortage, Jetten has proposed building ten new towns, backed by 2 billion euros annually, and cutting red tape to allow 100,000 new homes each year by repurposing larger buildings and agricultural land.
A strong supporter of European integration and climate action, Jetten’s profile has been further boosted by media exposure, including his appearance on a popular trivia quiz show, and his condemnation of anti-migration protests that targeted D66 offices in The Hague.
Jetten’s combination of progressive policies, pragmatic solutions, and conciliatory political style has positioned him as a historic figure in Dutch politics, ready to lead the country into its next chapter.
