Rob Jetten Sworn In as Netherlands’ Youngest and First Openly Gay Prime Minister

The Hague, February 23, 2026
Rob Jetten was formally sworn in as Prime Minister of the Netherlands today, making history as the country’s youngest-ever head of government at just 38 years of age. He is also the Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister — a milestone in a nation long known for its progressive values.
King Willem-Alexander administered the oath of office at the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, wishing the new government good luck “in uncertain times.”
Jetten, leader of the centrist, pro-European Democrats 66 (D66) party, pulled off a surprise election victory in October 2025, narrowly defeating far-right leader Geert Wilders’ PVV in a snap general election. His three-party minority coalition — formed with the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the centre-right VVD — took 117 days to assemble, and holds only 66 of the 150 seats in parliament’s lower house.
This means Jetten will need opposition support to pass every piece of legislation — a steep challenge in an already deeply fractured political landscape. Opposition parties from both the left and right have already voiced strong objections to the coalition’s plan to fund a historic defence spending increase through cuts to welfare and healthcare.
Jetten has vowed to restore the Netherlands’ role “at the heart of Europe” after years of political turbulence under nationalist governments. He has also pledged full support for Ukraine and committed to meeting NATO defence spending targets.
The new prime minister is engaged to Argentine field hockey player Nicolás Keenan. He previously served as Minister for Climate and Energy Policy under former Prime Minister Mark Rutte.