# First Van Agt cabinet

The first Van Agt cabinet, also called the Van Agt–Wiegel cabinet, was the executive branch of the Dutch Government from 19 December 1977 until 11 September 1981. The cabinet was formed by the christian-democratic Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) after the election of 1977. The cabinet was a centre-right coalition and had a slim majority in the House of Representatives with Christian Democratic Leader Dries van Agt serving as Prime Minister. Liberal Leader Hans Wiegel served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
The cabinet served in the final years of the radical 1970s and the early years of the economic expansion of the 1980s. Domestically it had to deal with the last days of the counterculture, the abdication of Queen Juliana and the installation of Queen Beatrix, and a growing inflation following the recession in the 1980s; but it was able to implement several major social reforms to the public sector and civil reforms and stimulating deregulation and privatization. Internationally it had to deal with the 1979 oil crisis and the fallout of the increasing international stand against Apartheid in South Africa. The cabinet suffered several major internal and external conflicts including multiple cabinet resignations, including a informal caucus of several Christian Democrats in the House of Representatives that only supported the cabinet in a confidence and supply construction, but it was able to complete its entire term and was succeeded by the Second Van Agt cabinet following the election of 1981.

## Formation

After the 1977 general election the Labour Party (PvdA) of incumbent Prime Minister Joop den Uyl was the winner of the election which won ten new seats and had now a total of 53 seats. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of Hans Wiegel won six seats and had now 28 seats. The Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP), Catholic People's Party (KVP) and the Christian Historical Union (CHU) participated for the first time as the combined party Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) with Dries van Agt as its new Leader. This electoral fusion resulted in one new seat and now had a total of 49 seats in the House of Representatives. A long negotiation between the Labour Party and Christian Democratic Appeal followed. Both parties had come out of the elections as equal partners. The negotiations were troubled by the personal animosity between incumbent Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party Joop den Uyl and the Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal Dries van Agt. Van Agt who served as Deputy Prime Minister under Den Uyl his cabinet had a bad working relationship. In the end Van Agt found that the demands of the Den Uyl were too great and instead he formed a coalition with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy.

## Term

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.

### Changes

On 5 March 1978 Minister of Defence Roelof Kruisinga (CHU) resigned in-protest after the cabinet decided to not publicly condemn the United States for further developing the Neutron bomb. Minister for Development Cooperation Jan de Koning (ARP) served as acting Minister of Defence until 8 March 1978 when Member of the Council of State Willem Scholten (CHU) was appointed as his successor.
On 1 April 1979 Minister for Science Policy Rinus Peijnenburg (KVP) unexpectedly died from a heart attack at the age of 51. Minister of Health and Environment Leendert Ginjaar (VVD) served as acting Minister for Science Policy until 3 May 1979 when Ton van Trier, who until then had been working as a professor of electrical engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology was installed as his successor. Ton van Trier an Independent Christian Democrat joined the Catholic People's Party that same month.
On 22 February 1980 Minister of Finance Frans Andriessen (KVP) resigned after disagreeing with the cabinets decision to not implement a stronger austerity policy. State Secretary for Finance Ad Nooteboom (CHU) declares his solidarity with Frans Andriessen and also resigned that same day. Minister of Economic Affairs Gijs van Aardenne (VVD) served as acting Minister of Finance until 5 March 1980 when Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Fons van der Stee (KVP) was appointed as Minister of Finance. That same day Member of the House of Representatives Gerrit Braks (KVP) was installed as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. On 16 April 1980 Member of the House of Representatives Marius van Amelsvoort (KVP) was appointed as State Secretary for Finance.
On 25 August 1980 Minister of Defence Willem Scholten (CHU) resigned after he was appointed Vice-President of the Council of State. That same day former naval officer Pieter de Geus (CHU), who until then had been working as a top official at the Ministry of Defence was appointed as his successor.
On 1 September 1981 ten days before the new cabinet took office Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland (CDA) resigned after he had been appointed Mayor of Apeldoorn. Minister of Transport and Water Management Dany Tuijnman (VVD) took over the position until the new cabinet was installed on 11 September 1981.

## Cabinet members

| Ministers | Ministers | Ministers | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party |
| | | Dries van Agt (1931–2024) | Prime Minister | General Affairs | | 19 December 1977 – 4 November 1982 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Dries van Agt (1931–2024) | Prime Minister | General Affairs | | 19 December 1977 – 4 November 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Hans Wiegel (born 1941) | Deputy Prime Minister | Interior | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Hans Wiegel (born 1941) | Minister | Interior | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Chris van der Klaauw (1924–2005) | Minister | Foreign Affairs | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Frans Andriessen (1929–2019) | Minister | Finance | | 19 December 1977 – 22 February 1980 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Gijs van Aardenne (1930–1995) | Minister | Finance | | 22 February 1980 – 5 March 1980 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Fons van der Stee (1928–1999) | Minister | Finance | | 5 March 1980 – 4 November 1982 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Fons van der Stee (1928–1999) | Minister | Finance | | 5 March 1980 – 4 November 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Job de Ruiter (1930–2015) | Minister | Justice | | 19 December 1977 – 4 November 1982 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Job de Ruiter (1930–2015) | Minister | Justice | | 19 December 1977 – 4 November 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Gijs van Aardenne (1930–1995) | Minister | Economic Affairs | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Roelof Kruisinga (1922–2012) | Minister | Defence | | 19 December 1977 – 4 March 1978 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Jan de Koning (1926–1994) | Minister | Defence | | 4 March 1978 – 8 March 1978 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Willem Scholten (1927–2005) | Minister | Defence | | 8 March 1978 – 25 August 1980 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Captain Pieter de Geus (1929–2004) | Minister | Defence | | 25 August 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Captain Pieter de Geus (1929–2004) | Minister | Defence | | 25 August 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Leendert Ginjaar (1928–2003) | Minister | Health and Environment | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Wil Albeda (1925–2014) | Minister | Social Affairs | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Wil Albeda (1925–2014) | Minister | Social Affairs | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Arie Pais (1930–2022) | Minister | Education and Sciences | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Dany Tuijnman (1915–1992) | Minister | Transport and Water Management | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Fons van der Stee (1928–1999) | Minister | Agriculture and Fisheries | | 1 November 1973 – 5 March 1980 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Gerrit Braks (1933–2017) | Minister | Agriculture and Fisheries | | 5 March 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Gerrit Braks (1933–2017) | Minister | Agriculture and Fisheries | | 5 March 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Jonkheer Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland (1932–2021) | Minister | Housing and Spatial Planning | | 19 December 1977 – 1 September 1981 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Jonkheer Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland (1932–2021) | Minister | Housing and Spatial Planning | | 19 December 1977 – 1 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Dany Tuijnman (1915–1992) | Minister | Housing and Spatial Planning | | 1 September 1981 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Til Gardeniers- Berendsen (1925–2019) | Minister | Culture, Recreation and Social Work | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Til Gardeniers- Berendsen (1925–2019) | Minister | Culture, Recreation and Social Work | | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| Ministers without portfolio | Ministers without portfolio | Ministers without portfolio | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party |
| | | Fons van der Stee (1928–1999) | Minister | Interior | • Netherlands Antilles Affairs | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Fons van der Stee (1928–1999) | Minister | Interior | • Netherlands Antilles Affairs | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Jan de Koning (1926–1994) | Minister | Foreign Affairs | • Development Cooperation | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Jan de Koning (1926–1994) | Minister | Foreign Affairs | • Development Cooperation | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Rinus Peijnenburg (1928–1979) | Minister | Education and Sciences | • Science Policy | 19 December 1977 – 1 April 1979 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Leendert Ginjaar (1928–2003) | Minister | Education and Sciences | • Science Policy | 1 April 1979 – 3 May 1979 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Ton van Trier (1926–1983) | Minister | Education and Sciences | • Science Policy | 3 May 1979 – 11 September 1981 | Independent Christian Democratic Catholic |
| | | Ton van Trier (1926–1983) | Minister | Education and Sciences | • Science Policy | 3 May 1979 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Ton van Trier (1926–1983) | Minister | Education and Sciences | • Science Policy | 3 May 1979 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| State Secretaries | State Secretaries | State Secretaries | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party |
| | | Henk Koning (1933–2016) | State Secretary | Interior | • Municipalities • civil service | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Durk van der Mei (1924–2018) | State Secretary | Foreign Affairs | • European Union • Benelux | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Durk van der Mei (1924–2018) | State Secretary | Foreign Affairs | • European Union • Benelux | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Ad Nooteboom (1928–2023) | State Secretary | Finance | • Fiscal Policy • Tax and Customs • Governmental Budget | 28 December 1977 – 22 February 1980 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Marius van Amelsvoort (1930–2006) | State Secretary | Finance | • Fiscal Policy • Tax and Customs • Governmental Budget | 16 April 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Marius van Amelsvoort (1930–2006) | State Secretary | Finance | • Fiscal Policy • Tax and Customs • Governmental Budget | 16 April 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Bert Haars (1913–1997) | State Secretary | Justice | • Immigration and Asylum • Judicial Reform • Youth Justice • Penitentiaries | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Historical Union |
| | | Bert Haars (1913–1997) | State Secretary | Justice | • Immigration and Asylum • Judicial Reform • Youth Justice • Penitentiaries | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Ted Hazekamp (1926–1987) | State Secretary | Economic Affairs | • Small and Medium-sized Businesses • Regional Development • Consumer Protection | 11 May 1973 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Ted Hazekamp (1926–1987) | State Secretary | Economic Affairs | • Small and Medium-sized Businesses • Regional Development • Consumer Protection | 11 May 1973 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Has Beyen (1923–2002) | State Secretary | Economic Affairs | • Trade and Export | 9 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Brigadier general Cees van Lent (1922–2000) | State Secretary | Defence | • Human Resources | 11 March 1974 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Brigadier general Cees van Lent (1922–2000) | State Secretary | Defence | • Human Resources | 11 March 1974 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Wim van Eekelen (born 1931) | State Secretary | Defence | • Equipment • Justice | 20 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Els Veder-Smit (1921–2020) | State Secretary | Health and Environment | • Primary Healthcare • Elderly Care • Disability Policy • Medical Ethics • Food Policy | 3 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Louw de Graaf (1930–2020) | State Secretary | Social Affairs | • Social Security • Occupational Safety | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Louw de Graaf (1930–2020) | State Secretary | Social Affairs | • Social Security • Occupational Safety | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Klaas de Jong (1926–2011) | State Secretary | Education and Sciences | • Secondary Education | 1 September 1975 – 11 September 1981 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Klaas de Jong (1926–2011) | State Secretary | Education and Sciences | • Secondary Education | 1 September 1975 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Ad Hermes (1929–2002) | State Secretary | Education and Sciences | • Primary Education | 9 January 1978 – 4 November 1982 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Ad Hermes (1929–2002) | State Secretary | Education and Sciences | • Primary Education | 9 January 1978 – 4 November 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Neelie Kroes (born 1941) | State Secretary | Transport and Water Management | • Public Infrastructure • Public Transport • Rail Transport • Water Management • Postal Service • Weather Forecasting | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| | | Gerrit Brokx (1933–2002) | State Secretary | Housing and Spatial Planning | • Public Housing • Urban Planning | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party |
| | | Gerrit Brokx (1933–2002) | State Secretary | Housing and Spatial Planning | • Public Housing • Urban Planning | 28 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Jeltien Kraaijeveld- Wouters (born 1932) | State Secretary | Culture, Recreation and Social Work | • Unemployment • Equality • Emancipation | 28 December 1977 – 9 September 1981 | Anti-Revolutionary Party |
| | | Jeltien Kraaijeveld- Wouters (born 1932) | State Secretary | Culture, Recreation and Social Work | • Unemployment • Equality • Emancipation | 28 December 1977 – 9 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| | | Gerard Wallis de Vries (1936–2018) | State Secretary | Culture, Recreation and Social Work | • Social Services • Environmental Policy • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 4 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
    $^{Resigned}$
    $^{Retainedfromthepreviouscabinet}$
    $^{Continuedinthenextcabinet}$
    $^{AdInterim}$
    $^{Acting}$
    $^{DiedinOffice}$
    $^{AppointedasVice-PresidentoftheCouncilofState}$
    $^{AppointedasMinisterofFinance}$
    $^{AppointedasMayorofApeldoorn}$