Rob Jetten, 38, has been sworn in as the youngest and first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands, leading a centre-right minority government with the VVD and CDA after his Democrats 66 (D66) narrowly won October’s elections over Geert Wilders. His government faces the challenge of passing major reforms, including €19bn for defense and cuts to healthcare and benefits, on a vote-by-vote basis in parliament.

The coalition plans stricter asylum rules, requiring refugees to apply outside Europe, a contentious issue that has toppled previous governments. Jetten, known for shaking off his “Robot Jetten” nickname, has presented a confident, modern image, appealing to younger voters with his pro-EU and socially liberal stance.

Globally, Jetten joins a small group of openly gay national leaders, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ representation. Opposition parties, including Wilders and the GreenLeft-Labour coalition, have voiced concerns over the government’s financial and social plans, warning of unfair burdens on ordinary citizens.

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