The cabinet was a Centre-left[3] grand coalition and had a majority in the House of Representatives with Labour Leader Willem Drees serving as Prime Minister.

Domestically the recovery and rebuilding following World War II continued with the assistance of the Marshall Plan.

An emergency law was made to recover the dykes and plans were made for the Delta Works, the world's largest flood protection project, which should protect the South West Netherlands against another such combination of storm and spring tide.

When the PvdA voted with the opposition over a combined law to lower taxes and raise rents on 17 May 1955, this led to a crisis.

The cabinet fell, but returned after 17 days when PvdA chairman Burger had reconciled the parties.