Rob Jetten sworn in as youngest-ever Dutch prime minister
Deutsche Welle
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Dutch King Willem-Alexander has sworn in Rob Jetten as the new prime minister, making him the youngest-ever and first openly gay leader of the Netherlands. At 38 years old, Jetten, a centrist from the pro-EU D66 party, leads a minority coalition government that includes the Christian Democrats and the right-wing VVD. With only 66 seats in the 150-seat parliament, this marks an unusual shift for the Netherlands, which typically relies on majority coalitions. The fractured political landscape has made forming a stable government increasingly challenging, with the previous government collapsing after just 11 months.
Jetten’s rise to power is a significant milestone in Dutch politics. Since his election to parliament in 2017, he has transitioned from being known as “Robot” Jetten due to his rehearsed responses to becoming a more relaxed and popular figure. He previously served as a cabinet minister under former Prime Minister Mark Rutte and is best known for advocating progressive policies, including a bold climate legislation package aimed at reducing Dutch carbon emissions by 60% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. His leadership comes during a time of political uncertainty, with the new coalition lacking a majority in both the lower house and the Senate, meaning it will need opposition support to pass key legislation.
The swearing-in of Rob Jetten as prime minister is not only a historic moment for LGBTQ+ representation in politics but also reflects broader shifts in Dutch society. His election and appointment underscore a growing acceptance of progressive values, particularly among younger voters, who increasingly prioritize issues like climate change and social inclusion. Jetten’s leadership will be closely watched, especially given the challenges of navigating a fractured
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/23/2026