Rob Jetten poised to become Netherlands’ youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister

The Netherlands is poised to make history as centrist leader Rob Jetten, 38, emerges as the frontrunner to become the country’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister, following a strong performance by his Democrats 66 (D66) party in Wednesday’s (October 29) general election.

D66 surged unexpectedly, gaining 17 seats to tie with far-right rival Geert Wilders’ PVV, which lost significant ground compared to its 2023 showing. With more than 98% of votes counted, D66 and PVV each hold 26 seats in the 150-member parliament, setting the stage for complex coalition negotiations.

Jetten’s campaign focused on optimism and unity, contrasting sharply with Wilders’ populist rhetoric. “Either we keep hanging in grudge and stagnation, or together turn the page,” Jetten told supporters on election day, urging voters to “choose hope, cooperation and solutions.”

The centrist-liberal D66 party’s success marks a major generational and cultural shift in Dutch politics, signaling waning momentum for the far right. Analysts say a Jetten-led government could reassert the Netherlands’ pro-European voice, following the turbulent post-Rutte era under caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Despite the celebrations, forming a coalition remains a daunting task. Parties need at least 76 seats for a majority, and attention now turns to the center-right VVD, which could hold the balance of power in the coming weeks of negotiations.

If Jetten succeeds, he will not only become the youngest leader in Dutch history but also the nation’s first openly gay prime minister – a landmark moment for one of Europe’s most progressive democracies.