The Hague — Jesse Klaver has been elected as the new leader of the Dutch Green/Labour left-wing coalition, succeeding Frans Timmermans, who resigned after a disappointing election outcome. Klaver, 39, is known for his youthful energy and adeptness with social media. His immediate challenge will be to engage in coalition discussions with Rob Jetten, the election winner, who aims to form a broad coalition that includes both left and right political factions.

The Green/Labour group announced Klaver's election on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, "Jesse is one of the driving forces behind our left-wing collaboration." Klaver, who has drawn comparisons to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has been a prominent figure in Dutch politics. He cites John F. Kennedy as his primary inspiration, often drinking from a mug that bears JFK's quote: "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."

Klaver's full name, Jesse Feras Klaver, reflects both his immigrant heritage and his admiration for Kennedy. He is the son of a Moroccan father who was absent during his upbringing and a Dutch-Indonesian mother. Raised primarily by his grandparents in social housing in Roosendaal, Klaver understands the challenges of growing up as an outsider in the Netherlands. He has been characterized as the "anti-Wilders," a reference to Geert Wilders, the far-right leader known for his anti-immigration stance.

Timmermans stepped down after the Green/Labour coalition lost five seats in parliament, dropping from 25 to 20. He acknowledged his inability to persuade voters, stating, "It is clear that I, for whatever reason, have not been able to persuade people to vote for us. It is therefore right that I take a step back and hand over the leadership of our movement to the next generation."

Klaver has a strong connection with younger voters, known for organizing large rallies and effectively using social media, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and Jetten have been playfully dubbed "Resse" on social media, a combination of their names. The upcoming negotiations will test whether the Green/Left coalition can collaborate with the center-right VVD liberals, led by Dilan Yesilgoz. Interestingly, both Klaver and Yesilgoz share a passion for the football club Ajax.