Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten (; born 25 March 1987) is a Dutch politician who serves as Leader of the Democrats 66 (D66) since 12 August 2023 and has served as Minister for Climate and Energy Policy in the Fourth Rutte cabinet since 10 January 2022. Prior to his ministerial appointment, Jetten served as his party's parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives from 2018 to 2021.
Early life and education
Jetten grew up in Uden, Noord-Brabant and attended his secondary education at Udens College between 1999 and 2005. He then studied at the Radboud University Nijmegen, where he obtained a BA in 2010 and an MA degree in 2011, both in public administration. After a period as a management trainee at the Dutch railway authority ProRail, he continued working there as a consultant and as a regional supply manager for the north-eastern Netherlands.
Political career
Jetten began his political career as a policy advisor for the D66 faction in the Senate of the States General and as the chairman of the Young Democrats. In addition, between 2010 and 2017, he was a member of the municipal council of Nijmegen. In the 2017 Dutch general election, he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives. Jetten then became his party's spokesperson for climate, energy and gas, railways, democratic renewal and economic affairs.
On 9 October 2018, Jetten was chosen as the new parliamentary leader of D66 in the House of Representatives, succeeding Alexander Pechtold. This did not automatically make him the new party leader as the new leader eventually was to be chosen in the 2020 Democrats 66 leadership election. Aged 31, Jetten became the youngest ever parliamentary leader of D66. After his election, Jetten faced criticism in Dutch media because of his relative young age.
Under his leadership, the Dutch government announced plans in 2022 to invest 750 million euros ($789 million) through to 2031 to have the country's gas network operator Gasunie develop a national hydrogen transportation network.
On 14 July, Jetten announced his candidacy to become the next Leader of the D66. In this way he hopes to succeed Sigrid Kaag after she announced that she would not lead D66 into the 2023 general election, due to the impact of the "hate, intimidation and threats" she receives on her family.
Personal life
He is openly gay. He's currently in a relationship with the Argentine field hockey player, Nicolás Keenan.
He was previously in a long term relationship with his ex-boyfriend, Sjoerd van Gils, the two lived in Ubbergen, Gelderland, Netherlands.
On the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia in 2020, he read a number of hate messages received regarding his homosexuality in a Twitter message. He says he received dozens of these messages every day. Under a pseudonym, people abused him because of his sexual orientation. Jetten wanted to show that this international day against homophobia was really necessary.
His close friendship with politician Jesse Klaver went viral on social media, with some linking the friendship to a bromance or relationship.
References
External links
Official
Drs. R.A.A. (Rob) Jetten, Parlement.com
Jetten R.A.A. (D66), Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
1987 births
Living people
21st-century Dutch politicians
Democrats 66 politicians
Dutch people of Indonesian descent
Dutch political consultants
Dutch speechwriters
Dutch gay writers
Gay politicians
LGBT cabinet members of the Netherlands
LGBT members of the Parliament of the Netherlands
Members of the House of Representatives (Netherlands) Ministers without portfolio of the Netherlands Municipal councillors of Nijmegen People from Veghel Radboud University Nijmegen alumni 21st-century Dutch LGBT people