In a political shift that has sent waves of excitement through the LGBTQ+ community, Rob Jetten is set to make history as the first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The 38-year-old leader of the progressive D66 party secured a narrow victory over Geert Wilders' far-right PVV, marking a significant rejection of populism and a powerful statement of inclusivity for a nation that was the first in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
The win is a dramatic turnaround from the 2023 elections, which saw a surge in support for the far-right. Jetten's campaign, running on the optimistic slogan "het kan wel" ("it is possible"), clearly resonated with voters looking for a positive and forward-thinking vision for the country.
Who is Rob Jetten?
At 38, Rob Jetten is not only on track to be the first gay Prime Minister but also the youngest in Dutch history. His D66 party campaigned on a platform focused on tackling the climate crisis with affordable green energy, strengthening education, and implementing a structured immigration policy. His victory speech emphasized unity and progress, a welcome message after a period of divisive politics.
"I think we’ve now shown to the rest of Europe and the world that it is possible to beat the populist movements if you campaign with a positive message for your country," Jetten told reporters, signaling a hopeful new chapter for Dutch politics.
A new 'First Couple' in the Torentje
While Jetten prepares to potentially move into the Torentje, the Prime Minister's office, he won't be alone. He is engaged to Nico Keenan, a 28-year-old Argentinian field hockey star and two-time Olympian. The couple, who got engaged last November, have become a visible and inspiring example of a modern power couple.
Keenan celebrated the election night win with a joyful TikTok video of the pair, set to RAYE's "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!", which quickly went viral. Jetten himself is no stranger to social media, having recently used the platform to show support for Palestine and affirm that abortion is a human right, using the Dutch phrase "werk dat loont" ("work that pays off").
@nicokeenan97 So proud of you ❤️
♬ WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! - RAYE
Not everybody is happy
Despite the celebratory mood, the victory was met with predictable backlash from conservative corners. The Reformatorisch Dagblad, a newspaper with ties to the fundamentalist Protestant SGP party, published an editorial titled "A Christian does not feel at home in Jetten country."
The article questioned, "Will our country soon be governed by a prime minister who is going to marry a man?" This reaction serves as a stark reminder that even in the Netherlands, the fight for full acceptance is ongoing. However, the election result itself shows that this viewpoint is increasingly in the minority.
For now, Jetten is focused on the task ahead: building a stable coalition government. "Voters have clearly indicated the need for cooperation," he stated. "We want to find a majority that will eagerly work on issues such as the housing market, migration, climate, and the economy." For the LGBTQ+ community in the Netherlands and beyond, his leadership represents a historic and hopeful step forward.
