Rob Jetten Sworn In As Netherland’s Youngest And First Gay PM

Rob Jetten has become the youngest and first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands after his minority government was sworn in to power. He was formally sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague on Monday.

The 38-year-old claimed victory in October’s election with his Democrats 66 party (D66) narrowly beating anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, sometimes called “Dutch Trump”,  in a nail-biting election. Jetten formed a centre-right minority government with the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA). Jetten succeeds Dick Schoof as prime minister who oversaw one of the shortest-lived governments in Dutch history.

Jetten’s popularity has surged over the last month thanks to his campaign to resolve housing shortages, tackle immigration concerns, and investing in the country’s education.

The 38-year-old Dutch politician is known for his progressive stance on climate action, equality, and social liberalism, earlier celebrated his results saying they show it’s possible to “defeat populist and far-right movements”.

Jetten’s inauguration is significant for the LGBTQIA+ community in The Netherlands.  The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001, cementing its reputation as a global pioneer in LGBTQ equality.

However no openly gay politician has led the Dutch Government before now. Jetten has been transparent and proud of his sexuality throughout his career in politics, speaking about what it was like growing up gay in a small town, and the important of visibility.

 

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Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Jetten wrote on X: “Proud to be doing this together. In a new phase, with great responsibility and, above all, a shared promise to work for everyone in the Netherlands. By not dwelling on what’s wrong, but by building on what can be improved. That requires courage and collaboration.”