From ‘Robot Jetten’ to prime minister: The rise of the Netherlands’ youngest leader

Rob Jetten has made history by becoming the Netherlands’ youngest prime minister and the first openly gay leader of the country, taking the oath of office on Monday to lead a three-party minority coalition.

At 38, Jetten breaks the record previously held by Christian Democrat Ruud Lubbers, who became prime minister in 1982 at age 43. Lubbers went on to serve as one of the longest-tenured Dutch leaders, setting a high bar for the new premier.

Jetten’s ascent to the Netherlands’ highest political office comes less than seven years after he first entered parliament in 2017 as a representative of the centrist, pro-European D66 party, which he now leads. His rapid rise through political ranks signals a generational shift in Dutch leadership.

Early in his parliamentary career, Jetten earned the unflattering nickname “Robot” for his seemingly rehearsed, mechanical responses to journalists’ questions. However, he has since developed a more relaxed public persona that has resonated with voters. His popularity received a boost when he advanced to the final round of “The Smartest Person,” a prime-time television quiz show that gave viewers a glimpse of his personality beyond politics.

The new prime minister maintains an active social media presence, regularly sharing glimpses of his personal life, including photos with his partner Nicolás Keenan, an Argentine field hockey player who recently won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After his electoral victory in late October, Jetten posted a touching bilingual message to Keenan, thanking him for his “unconditional support” and acknowledging he “couldn’t do it without you.”

Jetten’s leadership marks another milestone for the Netherlands, which has long been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights, becoming the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. His appointment reflects the nation’s progressive stance on equality and inclusion in public office.

The political road ahead for Jetten presents significant challenges. His three-party coalition holds just 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives, short of a majority. This parliamentary arithmetic means the new government will need to build bridges with opposition parties to advance its agenda, requiring compromise and negotiation on key issues.

Similarly, the coalition lacks a majority in the upper house, further complicating Jetten’s ability to implement his policy priorities without cross-party support. This precarious position may test his political skills as he attempts to navigate a fragmented political landscape.

Before entering politics, Jetten studied business administration and worked at ProRail, the government-owned railway infrastructure company. His background extends beyond politics and business—as a young athlete, he was talented enough to serve as a pace setter for Sifan Hassan, who would later become an Olympic long-distance champion.

Environmental policy has been a cornerstone of Jetten’s political career. As a parliamentarian, he emerged as his party’s spokesperson on climate issues, earning the nickname “climate pusher.” Later, as a Cabinet minister under former Prime Minister Mark Rutte (now NATO Secretary-General), Jetten championed comprehensive climate legislation.

This ambitious package included 120 measures with a price tag of 28 billion euros, aiming to cut Dutch carbon emissions by 60% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. His commitment to climate action is likely to remain a priority in his new role as prime minister.

As Jetten begins his tenure leading one of Europe’s most economically significant nations, he faces the dual challenge of maintaining the Netherlands’ progressive reputation while building the political consensus necessary to govern effectively with a minority coalition. His success will depend on his ability to transform from a once-robotic politician into a flexible, persuasive leader capable of uniting diverse interests around common goals.