The Netherlands embarked on a fresh political journey as Rob Jetten took oath as the youngest Prime Minister in the country’s history and its first openly gay leader. The 38-year-old centrist politician was sworn-in after winning a close election, thus marking a new era in Dutch politics and a new beginning in coalition politics in the Netherlands.
A historic swearing-in
Rob Jetten was sworn in as the new Prime Minister after finalising coalition talks between Democrats 66 (D66), the liberal VVD, and the center-right CDA. The new government is a minority government that lacks a majority in parliament by nine seats, as reported by AFP.
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Jetten was quick to react after being sworn in, describing the experience as "an enormous honour" in a post on X, indicating his readiness to start his new role as Prime Minister.
Early life and education
Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten was born on March 25, 1987, in Veghel, and he spent his childhood years in Uden, North Brabant. He furthered his education at Radboud University, where he acquired both his bachelor's and master's degrees in public administration, as Sunday Guardian reports.
Before plunging into frontline politics, Jetten was employed at ProRail, the state-owned enterprise operating the railway infrastructure. It was there that he gained experience in management and regional affairs, which provided him with early exposure to public administration and the policymaking machinery, Sunday Guardian reported.
Political career and rise
Jetten's political journey spans nearly a decade in national politics. He began as a policy advisor for D66 in the Senate and later chaired the party's youth wing, Young Democrats, stated the Sunday Guardian report.
He served as a municipal councillor in Nijmegen from 2010 to 2017 before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2017. At just 31, he became parliamentary leader of D66, gaining recognition as a pragmatic negotiator, the report stated.
His later roles included Minister for Climate and Energy Policy (2022–2024), Deputy Prime Minister, and briefly acting Finance Minister in 2024, before assuming the premiership in 2026.
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Jetten is known for his pro-European stance, focus on climate policy, and support for democratic reforms. Over time, he has built a reputation as a consensus-driven leader capable of working across party lines in coalition politics.
Net worth
According to the reopt, Jetten's exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Estimates place it between $1 million and $3 million, largely derived from his public service roles and earlier professional career. He is widely described as maintaining a modest lifestyle in The Hague.
