Meet Rob Jetten: The liberal leader poised to become Netherlands’ youngest and first openly gay PM

Leader of D66 (Democrats 66) Rob Jetten reacts as he delivers remarks to journalists at the D66 (Democrats 66) faction room at the Lower House, the day after the Dutch parliamentary election vote, in The Hague, on October 30, 2025. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP)

The Netherlands is on the verge of a historic political moment. Rob Jetten, the 38-year-old leader of the centrist-liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party, is poised to become the country’s first openly gay prime minister after his party’s strong showing in the national elections. According to media reports, Jetten’s D66 surged from fifth place to the top of Dutch politics in less than two years, running neck and neck with far-right leader Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV).

With 98 percent of votes counted, both parties were projected to win 26 seats in the 150-member lower house of parliament. However, analysts say Jetten is far more likely to form a governing coalition, as most major parties have ruled out working with Wilders.

If Jetten succeeds, he will become the youngest and first openly gay prime minister in Dutch history, marking a milestone in Europe’s liberal politics.

The making of Rob Jetten

Rob Jetten’s story is one of quiet determination, self-discipline, and a lifelong fascination with public life.

Born in the southeastern town of Uden, Jetten grew up in a modest family and showed an early interest in governance. “I wanted to make the world a slightly better place,” he told the website of Radboud University in Nijmegen, where he studied public administration.

As a schoolboy, Jetten would read two newspapers before classes and watch the evening news every night. “A geek. That is really what I was at age 12,” he once said, with a hint of self-deprecating humour.

Before entering politics, he worked as a consultant for the Dutch rail network ProRail, where he gained practical experience in public-sector management.

Jetten was elected to parliament in 2017 at the age of 30 and became the D66 parliamentary leader a year later, making him the youngest person ever to hold the position.

Supporters see him as a fresh face with the energy and intellect to rejuvenate Dutch politics. Some even call him a “mini-Rutte”, referring to Mark Rutte, the country’s long-serving former prime minister who now heads NATO.

From “Robot Jetten” to political star

Jetten’s rise has not been without obstacles. According to BBC, he was once mocked as “Robot Jetten” for his overly rehearsed lines, sharp suits, and bookish demeanour. Even some colleagues in parliament found him overly intense, with one describing him as “pushy” about climate issues.

But over time, Jetten worked to shed that image. He underwent laser eye surgery, ditched his glasses, and adopted a more relaxed communication style that helped him connect better with voters.

“Robot Jetten is going to be prime minister!” a reporter joked as election results became clear on Wednesday night, BBC reported.

“Sometimes it can work out really crazy in politics,” Jetten replied with a broad smile.

As Energy and Climate Minister from 2022 to 2024, Jetten gained visibility by steering key environmental reforms and pushing renewable energy investments. While his climate zeal drew criticism in some quarters, it also earned him respect as a principled policymaker.

Private life and personal convictions

Although he rarely foregrounds his sexuality in politics, Jetten has been candid about his experiences as a gay man.

Five years ago, he publicly read a series of homophobic messages he had received to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, aiming to raise awareness about online abuse and prejudice.

He has been in a relationship with Argentine hockey player Nicolas Keenan since 2022, and the couple is reportedly set to marry next summer in Spain.

“As a child and teenager, I was a keen games player. Football and athletics were my greatest passions,” Jetten said in an interview. His love for sports extended to the national level — he once represented the Netherlands as a junior athlete in running events.

His grounded and disciplined lifestyle reflects his belief in “pragmatic idealism” — a balance between progressive goals and practical governance.

A new political message

In recent months, Jetten has redefined his party’s message, focusing less on ideological “wokeness” and more on concrete issues such as housing, education, and immigration. This shift, according to AFP, helped D66 recover from its disastrous 2023 campaign, when its seat count fell from 24 to just nine.

“Millions of Dutch people today turned a page and said farewell to the politics of negativity, of hate, of endless ‘no we can’t’,” Jetten told supporters on election night.

The D66 campaign slogan, Het kan wel (“It is possible”), resonated strongly with younger voters and urban liberals, echoing the optimism of Barack Obama’s “Yes, we can.”

The road ahead

Jetten’s real challenge now lies in forming a stable coalition. The Dutch political system requires 76 seats for a parliamentary majority, usually involving at least four parties. As per AFP, the most likely alliance could include D66 (26 seats), the liberal VVD (22), the Christian Democrat CDA (18), and the left-wing Greens-Labour bloc (20).

Coalition negotiations in the Netherlands are often lengthy and complex, and observers expect talks to last several months.

Jetten, however, seems prepared for the challenge. “D66 is a small large party when compared with Dutch history,” he said on election night. “So we’ll have to cooperate with many parties.”

His main rival, Geert Wilders, is unlikely to find coalition partners due to his far-right stance and previous walkout from the governing alliance. “As long as it’s not 100 percent clear, D66 can’t take the lead. We will do everything we can to prevent that,” Wilders said in a post on X.

But with most major parties refusing to join hands with him, Wilders is expected to return to the opposition benches.

A potential turning point for Europe

If Rob Jetten does become prime minister, his leadership would not only be a landmark moment for the Netherlands but also for Europe, symbolising the resilience of liberal and centrist politics in the face of rising populism.

“We’ve shown not only to the Netherlands, but also to the world that it is possible to beat populist and extreme-right movements,” Jetten told cheering supporters.

For many, his rise is a reminder that in times of political fatigue and polarisation, optimism and steady reform can still win votes, and hearts, in Europe’s oldest democracy.