In the October elections held in the Netherlands, R. Jetten achieved a surprising victory, narrowly surpassing the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), led by radical politician Geert Wilders. This election came in the wake of an early dissolution of the previous government, which was the most right-leaning in the country's modern history and lasted only 11 months after the PVV withdrew from the coalition. Jetten's party D66 has formed a coalition with the center-right CDA and the liberal VVD, but they will still lack nine seats to achieve a parliamentary majority, holding only 66 seats in total.

The process of forming a coalition took the involved parties 117 days, significantly shorter than the previous coalition, which took 223 days to establish. Jetten's comments post-election indicated a hopeful stance on overcoming populist movements, asserting that a positive message during election campaigns can resonate with voters. He expressed a desire to restore the Netherlands’ position within the European framework, suggesting a shift in approach from his predecessors who may have leaned more towards isolationism.

This change in leadership is significant not only for domestic politics in the Netherlands but also for its implications on European politics, especially in the context of rising populism across Europe. As Jetten prepares to lead, the challenges ahead will include unifying the coalition and addressing the concerns raised by many voters who felt disillusioned with the political establishment, particularly in light of the PVV's influence.