It was formed following the parliamentary election of 2019 and was formally appointed by President Sauli Niinistö on 6 June 2019.

This government was the first centre-left coalition to lead Finland since the Lipponen II Cabinet in 2003.

Rinne announced the resignation of his government due to mishandling a postal strike on 3 December 2019.

The nomination of Centre's Antti Kaikkonen as the Minister of Defence drew considerable controversy due to his previous conviction from political corruption.

Historically, the interpretation of the "honest and competent" clause has been permissive: the most salient example would be Aarre Simonen, who was also successfully appointed in 1966 despite his conviction in 1961, also from corruption.