Rob Jetten: The 38-Year-Old Set to Become the Netherlands’ Youngest Prime Minister
Rob Jetten’s political rise has been nothing short of remarkable. In less than two years, the 38-year-old leader of the socially liberal D66 party has propelled his party from the political sidelines to the centre of Dutch politics — and now stands on the brink of becoming the Netherlands’ youngest-ever prime minister.
Wednesday’s tightly contested election has left Jetten neck-and-neck with far-right populist Geert Wilders, as both leaders compete for the top spot in parliament. But it’s Jetten’s upbeat, unifying message that appears to have struck a chord with Dutch voters weary of polarization.
Throughout the campaign, Jetten was omnipresent on television — his confident demeanor and positive slogan “Het kan wel” (“Yes, it’s possible”) becoming a rallying cry for optimism in a political climate often dominated by anger and division. When Wilders pulled out of a televised debate due to security concerns, Jetten stepped in, further boosting his visibility and appeal.
The D66 leader’s fortunes were also helped by timing. Having fared poorly in the 2023 election, Jetten avoided blame for the collapse of the previous government, which fell apart over migration disputes involving Wilders’ party. This clean slate allowed him to present D66 as a fresh, forward-looking alternative.