The Netherlands has made global LGBTQ+ history with the election of Rob Jetten, who is set to become the country’s first openly gay and youngest-ever prime minister at age 38.
Jetten, the leader of the centrist-liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party, won a decisive victory in the Oct. 29 election over far-right candidate Geert Wilders, whose campaign centered on anti-immigration rhetoric and Islamophobic proposals, including a ban on the Quran.
“I am incredibly happy that we have become the biggest party in this election,” Jetten told reporters after the results were announced. “A historic result for D66. At the same time, I feel a great responsibility.”
Jetten said his campaign’s optimistic tone was key to uniting Dutch voters. “We’ve shown the rest of Europe and the world that it is possible to beat populist movements when you campaign with a positive message for your country,” he said.
While Jetten’s victory is already being hailed as historic, his appointment will be officially confirmed once mail-in ballots from Dutch citizens abroad are counted on Nov. 3.
A Leader Making History — and in Love
Beyond politics, Jetten’s personal life has also captured the public’s attention. His fiancé, Nico Keenan, is a 28-year-old Argentine field hockey player and two-time Olympian. The couple’s relationship has become a symbol of visibility and pride for queer Europeans.
On election night, Keenan celebrated his partner’s victory with a TikTok video set to RAYE’s “Where the Hell Is My Husband?” The short clip shows the couple dressed in matching suits, smiling and sharing a brief kiss before heading out to face the world. “Election night, let’s go 🔥🫶🏽,” Keenan captioned the post.
The pair announced their engagement in late 2024, with Keenan sharing a photo of his engagement ring and the caption, “Soon to be Mr&Mr 💍.” According to reports, the couple plans to marry in 2026.
Keenan, who plays for the Netherlands’ Hockey Club Klein Zwitserland, has spoken openly about his bisexuality, saying he’s received messages of support from fans who feel represented by his visibility in sports. “People told me how happy they were that there was finally an openly bisexual hockey player in the Premier League,” he told Dutch outlet Trouw earlier this year.
A Symbol of Progress
The Netherlands, the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage 25 years ago, has long been considered a pioneer in LGBTQ+ rights. Still, Jetten’s election marks a powerful new chapter in that legacy.
If confirmed, Jetten will not only lead the Dutch government into a new political era, but also stand as a global symbol of hope for queer visibility in leadership.
