Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten became the first sitting prime minister to sail in Amsterdam's Pride canal parade, joining the flotilla from the National Maritime Museum as 80 decorated boats set off from the Oosterdok shortly after noon on Friday.
Amsterdam is hosting WorldPride for the first time in the Netherlands, with around 500,000 visitors expected for the canal procession. During the event, Jetten called on young LGBTIQ people to come out openly. The Dutch government has pledged to advance the Rainbow Voting Agreement, a package of commitments on LGBTIQ emancipation backed by 35 million euros for security and cooperation with police and major cities. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said protest is more effective when it is festive.
Security was tightened following an attack on Berlin's Pride event a week earlier. In Hamburg, tens of thousands attended a separate Pride demonstration, where police doubled their deployment from last year.