May–June 1982 Dutch cabinet formation

To avoid a motion of censure at the start of the cabinet, he did concessions to the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) to get their support.

The previous Second Van Agt cabinet fell due to economic differences and poor personal relationships.

When no agreement was reached on the spring budget update, Van Agt presented a proposal in the Council of Ministers on 11 May.

[3] On the day of the debate, queen Beatrix started a series of conversations with her regular advisors and with the parliamentary group leaders of the four largest parties.

Elections should then take place in the autumn and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) should provide confidence and supply for such a cabinet.

The D'66 advisory council supported the parliamentary group decision and Van Mierlo also decided to remain in the interim cabinet.

[7] On 26 May, Dries van Agt started as formateur, with confidence and supply from VVD requiring the most attention.

VVD wanted policy commitments, and also that no state secretaries would be appointed and that the elections would take place on 8 September, before Prinsjesdag.

Except for Social Affairs, no state secretaries would be appointed and when it came to the election date, the cabinet would take the House majority into account.

The cabinet would also make the control of collective expenditure and the fight against unemployment advocated by the VVD part of policy.

At the CDA, party leader Lubbers announced on 27 May that he would become Minister of Social Affairs, while the number two from the parliamentary group – Louw de Graaf – would already become State Secretary in the same department.

Two other ministerial positions were taken by state secretaries Hans de Boer and Wim Deetman.

[9] During the constitutive deliberation on 29 May, Van Agt stated, at the request of Nypels, that no commitments had been made to the VVD.

A minority of the left-wing parties CPN, PSP, PPR and PvdA supported a motion of censure.