Amsterdam: The D66 Centrist Party has emerged victorious in the recently concluded elections in the Netherlands, paving the way for its leader Rob Jetten (38) to become the next Prime Minister. Jetten, one of the youngest leaders to assume the role, is also openly gay, a fact he has spoken about publicly. Describing the election results as historic, Jetten said the people of the Netherlands have entrusted him with a great responsibility.
Jetten’s party defeated the Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, a far-right politician known for his anti-Islam rhetoric. Wilders had campaigned on issues such as immigration control and a proposed ban on the Quran, but voters opted for the centrist D66 instead. Analysts suggest that Wilders’ popularity has declined sharply in this election.
Born in Uden, Jetten studied Public Administration at Radboud University Nijmegen. Both his parents were schoolteachers. A sports enthusiast since childhood, Jetten once aspired to build a career in athletics or business before turning to politics.
Jetten has been engaged for three years to Argentine hockey player Nicolás Keenan, and the couple is set to marry in Spain next year.