Second Van Agt cabinet

The cabinet was a Centre-left[2] grand coalition and had a substantial majority in the House of Representatives with Christian-Democratic Leader Dries van Agt serving as Prime Minister.

The negotiations were troubled by the personal animosity between incumbent Prime Minister and Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal Dries van Agt and former Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party Joop den Uyl.

Van Agt who served as Deputy Prime Minister under Den Uyl his cabinet had a bad working relationship.

Den Uyl tried to create employment as Minister of Social Affairs but plans to reform the health insurance was met with a huge resistance from the left-wing.

The cabinet fell because the Christian Democrats wanted a cut in government spending, while the Labour Party opposed it.

Incoming Minister of Defence Hans van Mierlo and departing Minister of Defence Pieter de Geus at the Ministry of Defence on 11 September 1981.
The first meeting the Second Van Agt cabinet at the Ministry of General Affairs on 11 September 1981.
Prime Minister Dries van Agt and South African anti-apartheid activist Oliver Tambo at the Catshuis on 19 October 1981.
Prime Minister Dries van Agt and Prime Minister of Portugal Francisco Pinto Balsemão at the Ministry of General Affairs on 25 February 1982.
Prime Minister Dries van Agt and Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mochtar Kusumaatmadja at the Ministry of General Affairs on 4 March 1982.