The Netherlands has made history with its latest election, choosing Rob Jetten, 38, as the country’s first openly gay and youngest-ever prime minister.
Jetten, leader of the centrist-liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party, claimed victory over far-right candidate Geert Wilders, head of the Party for Freedom, who campaigned on an anti-immigration platform and has previously made Islamophobic statements, including calling to ban the Quran.
“I am incredibly happy that … we have become the biggest party in this election,” Jetten told reporters, according to Deutsche Welle (DW).
“A historic result for D66. At the same time, I feel a great responsibility.”
“I think we’ve now shown to the rest of Europe and the world that it is possible to beat populist movements if you campaign with a positive message for your country.”
While Jetten is the projected winner, the result will be officially confirmed on 3 November, once mail-in votes from Dutch citizens living abroad are counted.
A Political First — and a Love Story
Jetten’s historic win is also being celebrated for what it represents: visibility, inclusion, and hope. The prime minister-elect was joined on election night by his fiancé, two-time Olympian Nico Keenan, 28.
The couple shared a heartwarming moment on TikTok, with Keenan posting a short clip set to RAYE’s “Where the Hell Is My Husband?” The video shows Keenan waiting in a suit before Jetten appears, and the two embrace and share a kiss.
“Election night, let’s go 🔥🫶🏽,” Keenan captioned the video.
Jetten has returned the support in spades. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he cheered Keenan on from the stands as the Argentine-born athlete represented his country in field hockey at Stade Yves-du-Manoir.
The couple announced their engagement in November 2024, with Keenan sharing a photo of his engagement ring and the caption, “Soon to be Mr&Mr 💍.” Their wedding is reportedly planned for 2026.
Nico Keenan: Queer Visibility in Sport
Keenan, who is openly bisexual, has also made headlines for his visibility in elite sport. Since 2017, he has played for Hockey Club Klein Zwitserland in the Netherlands’ Premier League.
In an interview with Dutch outlet Trouw earlier this year, Keenan shared that he has received a wave of positive messages from fans.
“People told me how happy they were that there was finally an openly bisexual hockey player playing in the Premier League,” he said.
A Global Milestone
Jetten’s election is being seen as a symbolic step forward — not just for the Netherlands, but for LGBTQIA+ representation in global politics. It signals a turning point in Dutch leadership and comes at a time when other European countries are grappling with the rise of far-right populism.
The win also echoes broader shifts in political engagement, with voters embracing leaders who reflect the diversity of their countries — and who campaign with hope, inclusion, and authenticity.
