Rob Jetten is the youngest prime minister of the Netherlands and the first openly gay prime minister that took over in 38 years. He heads a weak coalition that holds 66 of the 150 seats in the Dutch lower house and was sworn in on February 23, 2026. His ascendancy comes after a close competitive general election which saw his party win 26 seats making it the best performance the party has ever recorded.
Rob Jetten Sworn In as Netherlands’ Youngest & First Openly Gay Prime Minister
Jetten became officially in charge, having closed a coalition negotiation involving Democrats 66 (D66), VVD and CDA on the basis of becoming a minority cabinet. His election is a sign of changing the generations, as well as a symbolic transition to the politics of the Netherlands, which has always been socially liberal, but deals with a divided parliament.
Who is Rob Jetten?
Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten is a moderate politician who has a pro-European position, an interest in climate issues and an insistence on democratic reformation. During almost ten years of career in national politics, he has earned a reputation as a practical deal-maker and reformist.
Rob Jetten Early Life & Education
Jetten was born on March 25, 1987, in the village of Veghel and grew up in Uden in North Brabant and graduated as a bachelor and master of public administration at Radboud University. He had served in frontline politics; prior to taking up frontline politics, he served in ProRail, the state-owned railroad infrastructure company where he did management and regional supply work.
Rob Jetten Career
- Policy adviser to D66 in the Senate
- Chair of the Young Democrats (D66 youth wing)
- Municipal councillor in Nijmegen (2010–2017)
- Elected to the House of Representatives in 2017
- Parliamentary leader of D66 at age 31
- Minister for Climate and Energy Policy (2022–2024)
- Deputy Prime Minister and briefly acting Finance Minister (2024)
- Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2026– )
Rob Jetten Electoral History
|
Year |
Election |
Party |
Seats Won |
Individual Votes |
Result |
|
2017 |
General Election |
D66 |
19 |
4,903 |
Elected |
|
2021 |
General Election |
D66 |
24 |
45,771 |
Re-elected |
|
2023 |
General Election |
D66 |
9 |
437,371 |
Elected |
|
2025 |
General Election |
D66 |
26 |
1,209,849 |
Elected |
LGBTQIA Group Applauds Historic Appointment
The largest LGBTQIA advocacy organization in the country COC Netherlands was very pleased by his swearing-in, referring to it as a milestone. His leadership demonstrates that sexual orientation has no bounds on ambition or opportunity and the organisation, which described him as a visible role model to the youth within the rainbow community, said that he has been able to demonstrate this through his leadership.
Rob Jetten: Seasoned Dutch Lawmaker’s Steady Rise to the Top
Jetten is not new though he is young. He joined parliament in the year 2017 and soon ascended through the party ranks. During his time in the position of climate minister, there was an investment plan of a hydrogen network of 750 million euros by 2031. He also subsequently recommended the increase of defence spending to 3 percent of GDP out of the emerging security concerns by Europe.
Rob Jetten Pledged to Boost Defence Funding
Jetten made a promise during the campaign to channel back expenditure and social benefits to invest in greater military capacity. Having only 66 seats in support of his coalition, all significant reforms will have to be negotiated with the opposition lawmakers, and consensus-building will become the core of his leadership.
Rob Jetten Net Worth
The net worth of Jetten is not publicly known, but its revenues are estimated to be between 1 million and 3 million. His income is mainly based on serving the people in authority positions and his previous career. He has a reputation of a simple life in The Hague.
FAQ’s
1. How old is Rob Jetten?
He is 38 years old, making him the youngest prime minister in Dutch history.
2. Which party does he lead?
He leads Democrats 66 (D66), a centrist and pro-European party.
3. How many seats does his coalition hold?
The coalition holds 66 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives.
4. Is he the first openly gay Dutch PM?
Yes, he is the first openly gay head of government in the Netherlands.
5. What are his top priorities?
Climate policy, defence investment and democratic reform are central to his agenda.
6. What is Rob Jetten Net Worth
Rob Jetten’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but estimates suggest it ranges between $1 million and $3 million.
