The Netherlands has elected its youngest and first openly gay prime minister, Rob Jetten. The election took place on Oct. 29 and saw the Democrats 66 (D66) party gain 17 seats, while the corresponding far-right party lost 11 seats. Jetten, the 38-year-old leader of the Democrats 66, centered his campaign around issues like immigration and the country’s housing crisis. He defeated his opponent Geert Wilders of the far-right party according to Pink News.
On election day, Jetten posted a message of positivity on Instagram writing: “Today we determine the course of our country. Either we keep hanging in grudge and stagnation, or together turn the page on Wilders. I believe in a Netherlands that wants to move forward. That dares to dream big, hold each other together, and chooses hope, cooperation and solutions.”
According to Reuters, Jetten’s campaign saw success after a surge in advertising spending. With a focus on issues of climate change, education, and more, he won over centrist voters who may have previously voted conservatively. This win is just the latest victory for the Netherlands’ LGBTQ+ community. Pink News also reports that in September the Dutch parliament voted to criminalize conversion therapy.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Netherlands since 2001 when it became the first country in the world to offer marriage equality. According to Equaldex, the country offers protections from discrimination, has legalized adoption, blood donation, gender affirming care and more for LGBTQ+ people.
Jetten is currently engaged to international hockey player Nicolas Keenan.
