The Netherlands has made history by electing Rob Jetten, 38, as the country’s first openly gay and youngest-ever prime minister, following a dramatic general election that saw his centrist Democrats 66 (D66) party defeat the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) led by populist Geert Wilders.
Wilders, an anti-immigration firebrand and long-time EU sceptic, had been heavily favoured to win, but D66 surged ahead in key urban constituencies to overtake his lead, according to the BBC. “We are the biggest party in the Netherlands! Now we’ll get to work for all Dutch people,” Jetten wrote on X after the result was declared.
Jetten framed his victory as a model for progressive, pro-European parties seeking to counter the rise of right-wing populism. His message of hope, unity and national pride struck a chord with voters weary of polarisation. While liberal on social issues, Jetten also broke with some orthodox centre-left positions — particularly on immigration, Wilders’ strongest theme — by calling for limits on migration and acknowledging that rising numbers can create “a burden in large working-class neighbourhoods.”
“We’ve shown to the rest of Europe and the world that it’s possible to beat populist movements with a positive message for your country,” he told reporters on 31 October, two days after the vote, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Beyond politics, Jetten’s personal story has also captured global attention. Since November 2024, he has been engaged to Nicolás Keenan, 28, a bisexual two-time Olympian who represented Argentina in field hockey and now plays for Dutch side Klein Zwitserland in the Hoofdklasse, the Netherlands’ top league.
Keenan told the Dutch outlet Trouw earlier this year that he had received messages of gratitude from fans for competing as an openly bisexual athlete. “People told me how happy they were that there was finally an openly bisexual hockey player in the Premier League,” he said.
On election night, Keenan posted a TikTok of the couple getting ready for their celebration, set to Raye’s “Where the Hell Is My Husband?”. The clip ends with the two adjusting their suits before sharing a brief kiss, as Keenan mouths “Let’s go” to the camera. The video quickly went viral, symbolising a new generation of visible, confident LGBTQ+ leadership.
It remains to be seen how visible the pair will be on the international stage once Jetten assumes office, particularly during diplomatic visits to countries less accepting of same-sex relationships. Nevertheless, his rise represents a profound shift in European politics — proof that authenticity, optimism and inclusive values can triumph over fear and division.