The Netherlands has sworn in 38-year-old Rob Jetten as the country’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister.
Jetten’s rise to office marks a moment for Dutch politics, reflecting both generational change and growing LGBTQ+ representation in European leadership.
Although Jetten’s party, Democrats 66 (D66), won the general election in October, it took nearly four months of negotiations to form a governing coalition, a common feature of the Netherlands’ proportional representation system.
The newly formed coalition includes, Democrats 66 (D66), Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)
However, Jetten will lead a minority government, meaning his administration must rely on support from opposition parties to pass key legislation.
D66 narrowly edged out the right-wing politician Geert Wilders, whose influence had dominated the previous political landscape.
At just 38, Jetten represents a generational shift in leadership. His appointment signals changing political dynamics in the Netherlands, with younger voters increasingly shaping national discourse.
Leading a minority coalition in a politically polarized environment will test Jetten’s negotiation skills. Securing cross-party backing for reforms.
With the Netherlands at a political crossroads, all eyes will now be on how the young prime minister balances progressive ambitions with coalition compromises.
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