Jetten calls potential openly gay PM role a symbolic moment as coalition talks advance

Rob Jetten says it would be a “very beautiful symbol” if he were to become the first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands. The D66 leader says he is “really looking forward” to getting started. “And the fact that I happen to be with a man also means something for the LGBTI community, in the Netherlands and worldwide.” Jetten would also be the first prime minister from his party.

Jetten also shared that the prospective coalition partners, D66, VVD, and CDA, are prepared to present their draft coalition agreement to their parliamentary groups. Although the parties said Tuesday night that they had agreed on the main outlines, some final details still need to be finalized.

The D66 politician said the discussions on the remaining details involve no contentious issues and are simply about reviewing the agreements already made.

The prospective prime minister added that the three parliamentary groups will review the agreement simultaneously, though he did not specify when; sources expect it to be Wednesday evening. Jetten said he, along with VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz and CDA leader Henri Bontenbal, will meet on Thursday to give the agreement “a final seal of approval.”

Jetten said further talks are needed to finalize the details, ahead of another meeting chaired by the informateur, who oversees the formation process. “We want to double-check that everything adds up and prepare for Friday, when the coalition agreement will be presented,” he said. Before that can happen, the three parties’ parliamentary groups must sign off on the plans, with D66 requiring unanimous approval.

Bontenbal does not expect any dissent among his MPs. “Our parliamentary spokespeople have been involved in many issues, so it’s not as if things are coming as a surprise.”