Netherlands cabinet Van Agt-1
Encyclopedia
The first Van Agt cabinet (1977-1981) was a right-wing coalition of the CDA
and the VVD. The Labour Party was the largest party after the elections, but the demands of Labour leader Joop den Uyl
were too great for Christian-Democrat Dries van Agt
, who formed a coalition with right-wing liberal Hans Wiegel
. The cabinet had to deal with a major economic depression, but refused to cut government spending due to fierce left-wing opposition in the parliament, which had nearly half of the seats. Many left-wing demonstrations were held on the street against the government. Notorious were the harsh demonstrations in Amsterdam during the crowning of queen Beatrix and the squatting riots. There was a sharp increase in unemployment and the government was seen to have created too much debt.
Christian Democratic Appeal
The Christian Democratic Appeal is a centre-right Dutch Christian democratic political party. It suffered severe losses in the 2010 elections and fell from the first to the fourth place...
and the VVD. The Labour Party was the largest party after the elections, but the demands of Labour leader Joop den Uyl
Joop den Uyl
Johannes Marten den Uijl, known as Joop den Uyl was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from May 11, 1973 until December 19, 1977....
were too great for Christian-Democrat Dries van Agt
Dries van Agt
Andreas Antonius Maria "Dries" van Agt is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from December 19, 1977, until November 4, 1982....
, who formed a coalition with right-wing liberal Hans Wiegel
Hans Wiegel
Hans Wiegel is a retired Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He served as a Member of the House of Representatives from April 18, 1967 until December 19, 1977...
. The cabinet had to deal with a major economic depression, but refused to cut government spending due to fierce left-wing opposition in the parliament, which had nearly half of the seats. Many left-wing demonstrations were held on the street against the government. Notorious were the harsh demonstrations in Amsterdam during the crowning of queen Beatrix and the squatting riots. There was a sharp increase in unemployment and the government was seen to have created too much debt.