Rob Jetten Becomes Netherlands’ Youngest Ever Prime Minister
1 hour ago
By André Rhoden-Paul and Anna Holligan, in The Hague
!Rob Jetten at his swearing-in ceremony with King Willem-Alexander
Rob Jetten has made history as the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands after his minority government was officially sworn in.
Key Facts About Jetten’s Rise to Power
– Age: At just 38, Jetten claimed victory in October’s closely contested election, leading his party, Democrats 66 (D66), to narrowly defeat anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders.
– Coalition Formation: Jetten has formed a centre-right minority government with the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).
– Minority Cabinet: This government model means that every significant reform—including an additional €19 billion (£16.6 billion) for defense and cuts to healthcare and benefits—will require negotiations vote by vote in the Netherlands’ two parliamentary houses.
– Asylum Policy: The coalition aims to reduce the number of asylum seekers, requiring refugees to apply for asylum outside Europe—a contentious issue that contributed to the fall of the last two coalition governments.
In succession to Dick Schoof, who led one of the shortest governments in Dutch history, Jetten was sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. Ahead of his ceremony, Jetten expressed his excitement on social media, stating, 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 building on what can be improved. That requires courage and collaboration.
Who is Rob Jetten?
– Evolution of Image: Known previously by the nickname Robot Jetten due to stiff television performances, he has transformed into a confident leader. On election night, he captivated young supporters in a lively venue in Leiden, presenting a stark contrast to Wilders with his upbeat, socially liberal, and pro-EU stance.
– LGBTQ Milestone: Jetten’s sexuality was minimally discussed during the campaign, reflecting the progress of LGBTQ equality in the Netherlands. However, on an international scale, his position as an openly gay leader is a milestone, particularly for communities in countries where being openly gay remains a risk.
Challenges Ahead
Standing beside King Willem-Alexander on the palace steps, Jetten project a polished image of a prime minister. After being confirmed, he simply stated on Instagram, “Let’s get to work.”
However, opposition from Geert Wilders and other political figures looms large. Wilders has openly declared his intention to obstruct any initiatives from Jetten’s government, while parties like the GreenLeft-Labour coalition, led by Jesse Klaver, have raised alarm over financial plans deemed unfair: Ordinary people will pay hundreds of Euros more, while the very richest won’t be asked to pay anything extra. That’s unfair and won’t help the Netherlands move forward.
In a country that appears to embrace progressive change, Rob Jetten’s ascent marks a significant moment in both Dutch and global politics, signaling hope for a future marked by collaboration, responsibility, and inclusivity.