Jan Peter Balkenende

Balkenende became prime minister after the CDA won the most seats in the 2002 election, following the assassination of Pim Fortuyn. He led four consecutive cabinets (Balkenende I-IV) from 2002 to 2010, making him the second-longest-serving post-war prime minister.

Balkenende formed a coalition with the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) and the VVD. The cabinet collapsed after 87 days due to infighting within the LPF. It was one of the shortest-lived Dutch cabinets, highlighting the instability following Fortuyn's rise.

Balkenende's government held a non-binding referendum on the European Constitution, which was rejected by 61.5% of voters. The result was a major setback for European integration and forced the government to reconsider its EU policy. It reflected growing Euroscepticism in the Netherlands.

Balkenende formed a coalition with the PvdA and ChristenUnie. This cabinet implemented reforms in social security and healthcare, but was marked by tensions over the Dutch mission in Afghanistan. It fell in 2010 over disagreements on extending the Afghan mission.

Balkenende resigned after the fall of his fourth cabinet over the Afghan mission. He stepped down as CDA leader and left politics. His tenure ended with the Netherlands facing economic challenges and political fragmentation, leading to a caretaker government.