Second Lubbers cabinet explained

Cabinet Name:Second Lubbers cabinet
Jurisdiction:the Netherlands
Flag:Flag of the Netherlands.svg
Flag Border:true
Image Size2:250px
Date Dissolved:
in office
(Demissionary from)
Government Head:Ruud Lubbers
Deputy Government Head:Rudolf de Korte
State Head:Queen Beatrix
Members Number:14
Former Members Number:1
Total Number:16
Political Party:Christian Democratic Appeal
(CDA)
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy

(VVD)
Legislature Status:Centre-right
Majority government
Election:1986 election
Last Election:1989 election
Legislature Term:1986–1989
Incoming Formation:1986 formation
Outgoing Formation:1989 formation
Previous:First Lubbers cabinet
Successor:Third Lubbers cabinet
State Head Title:Monarch
Government Head Title:Prime Minister
Deputy Government Head Title:Deputy Prime Minister

The second Lubbers cabinet was the executive branch of the Dutch Government from 14 July 1986 until 7 November 1989. The cabinet was a continuation of the previous First Lubbers cabinet and 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 1986. The cabinet was a centre-right coalition and had a substantial majority in the House of Representatives with Christian-Democratic Leader Ruud Lubbers serving Prime Minister. Former Liberal Leader Rudolf de Korte the Minister of the Interior in the previous cabinet served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs.

The cabinet served in the middle of the turbulent 1980s. Domestically it had to deal with revitalizing the economy following the Early 1980s recession, reducing the deficit and stimulating deregulation and privatization, it was able to implement several major social reforms to social security, student loans, value-added taxes, public broadcasting and further stimulating Urban development. Internationally it had to deal with several crises such as the fallout of the decision to allow NATO to place the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) at Woensdrecht Air Base. The cabinet suffered several major internal conflicts including multiple resignations, the cabinet fell 3 years into its term on 3 May 1989 following a disagreement in the coalition over a proposed excise and the cabinet continued in a demissionary capacity until it was replaced with the Third Lubbers cabinet following the 1989 election.[1] [2]

Formation

After the election on 21 May 1986 the Christian Democratic Appeal of incumbent Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers was the winner of the election winning nine new seats and had now a total of 54 seats. The Labour Party of Joop den Uyl gained 5 seats and had now a total of 52 seats. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy under Ed Nijpels lost nine seats and now had a total of 27 seats in the House of Representatives, following this loss Ed Nijpels resigned as Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy on 9 July 1986and was temporarily succeeded by Rudolf de Korte. On 23 May 1986 Queen Beatrix appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Jan de Koning (CDA) as Informateur to start the cabinet formation process. The previous coalition of Christian Democratic Appeal and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy agreed to continue the coalition. On 11 July 1986 Queen Beatrix subsequently appointed incumbent Prime Minister as Formateur and tasked him with forming a new cabinet. On 14 July 1986 the cabinet formation was completed and the Second Lubbers cabinet was installed with Ruud Lubbers beginning a second term as Prime Minister and Rudolf de Korte as the new Deputy Prime Minister.

On 21 July 1986 shortly after the cabinet formation Joop den Uyl who had been the Leader of the Labour Party since 13 September 1966 announced his retirement from front line politics and stood down on 21 July 1986 after serving 19 years as Leader of the Labour Party, he was succeeded by former Trade union leader Wim Kok who had only been a Member of the House of Representatives since 3 June 1986.

Term

Changes

On 23 October 1986 State Secretary for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment Gerrit Brokx (CDA) resigned after Parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal in the House of Representatives Bert de Vries lost his confidence in his ability to remain in office after a critical parliamentary inquiry. On 27 October 1986 State Secretary for Economic Affairs for international trade Enneüs Heerma (CDA) was appointed as his successor. On 30 October 1986 Member of the House of Representatives Yvonne van Rooy (CDA) was nominated to succeed him as State Secretary for Economic Affairs for international trade.

On 3 February 1987 Minister of the Interior Kees van Dijk (CDA) took a medical leave of absence after he had to undergo surgery as a result of heart problems. During his sick leave Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Jan de Koning (CDA) served as acting Minister of the Interior while State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment Louw de Graaf (CDA) was temporarily appointed as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment. On 6 May 1987 Kees van Dijk returned from his sick leave and resumed his duties as Minister of the Interior.

On 6 September 1988 Minister of Defence Wim van Eekelen (VVD) resigned after the conclusions of a critical parliamentary inquiry into fraud was released about the time he had served as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the previous cabinet. On 9 September 1988 State Secretary for Foreign Affairs René van der Linden (CDA) also resigned. Minister for Development Cooperation Piet Bukman (CDA) served as acting Minister of Defence until 24 September 1988 when Member of the House of Representatives Frits Bolkestein (VVD), the former State Secretary for Economic Affairs was appointed as Minister of Defence. On 27 September 1988 Berend-Jan van Voorst tot Voorst (CDA), who until then had been working as senior official at the Ministry of Economic Affairs was sworn in as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

On 30 June 1989 State Secretary for Economic Affairs for small business policy Albert-Jan Evenhuis (VVD) resigned following a publication in the NRC Handelsblad after he had provided a dubious loan and subsidy and because the cabinet was already demissionary he was not replaced.

On 14 September 1989 Minister of Education and Sciences Wim Deetman (CDA) resigned after he was appointed as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Gerrit Braks (CDA) served as acting Minister of Education and Sciences until the new cabinet took office on 7 November 1989.

On 1 October 1989 one month before the new cabinet took office State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment Louw de Graaf (CDA) resigned after he was appointed as chairman of the trade associations of Insurance Companies.

Cabinet Members

MinistersTitle/Ministry/Portfolio(s)Term of officeParty
Ruud Lubbers
(1939–2018)
Prime MinisterGeneral Affairs4 November 1982 –
22 Augustus 1994
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Dr.
Rudolf de Korte
(1936–2020)
Deputy
Prime Minister
Economic Affairs14 July 1986 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Minister
Kees van Dijk
(1931–2008)
MinisterInterior14 July 1986 –
26 January 1987
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Frits
Korthals Altes

(born 1931)
26 January 1987 –
3 February 1987
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Jan de Koning
(1926–1994)
3 February 1987 –
6 May 1987
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Kees van Dijk
(1931–2008)
6 May 1987 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Hans van
den Broek

(born 1936)
MinisterForeign Affairs4 November 1982 –
3 January 1993
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Dr.
Onno Ruding
(born 1939)
MinisterFinance4 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Frits
Korthals Altes

(born 1931)
MinisterJustice4 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Dr.
Wim van Eekelen
(born 1931)
MinisterDefence14 July 1986 –
6 September 1988
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Piet Bukman
(1934–2022)
6 September 1988 –
24 September 1988
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Frits Bolkestein
(born 1933)
24 September 1988 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Elco Brinkman
(born 1948)
MinisterWelfare, Health
and Culture
4 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Jan de Koning
(1926–1994)
MinisterSocial Affairs and
Employment
4 November 1982 –
3 February 1987
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Louw de Graaf
(1930–2020)
3 February 1987 –
6 May 1987
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Jan de Koning
(1926–1994)
6 May 1987 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Wim Deetman
(born 1945)
MinisterEducation and
Sciences
29 May 1982 –
14 September 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Gerrit Braks
(1933–2017)
14 September 1989 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Neelie Kroes
(born 1941)
MinisterTransport and
Water Management
4 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Gerrit Braks
(1933–2017)
MinisterAgriculture and
Fisheries
4 November 1982 –
18 September 1990
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Ed Nijpels
(born 1950)
MinisterHousing, Spatial
Planning and the
Environment
14 July 1986 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Ministers without portfolioTitle/Ministry/Portfolio(s)Term of officeParty
Jan de Koning
(1926–1994)
MinisterInteriorNetherlands
Antilles and
Aruba Affairs
29 May 1982 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Piet Bukman
(1934–2022)
MinisterForeign AffairsDevelopment
Cooperation
14 July 1986 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
State SecretariesTitle/Ministry/Portfolio(s)Term of officeParty
Dieuwke de
Graaff-Nauta

(1930–2008)
State SecretaryInteriorMunicipalities
Emergency
Services

Emergency
Management

Regional
Languages
14 July 1986 –
27 May 1994
Christian
Democratic Appeal
René van
der Linden

(born 1943)
State Secretary
Foreign Affairs• European Union
Benelux
14 July 1986 –
9 September 1988
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Baron
Berend-Jan van
Voorst tot Voorst

(1944–2023)
27 September 1988 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Henk Koning
(1933–2016)
State SecretaryFinanceFiscal Policy
Tax and Customs
Governmental
Budget
4 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Virginie
Korte-van Hemel

(1929–2014)
State SecretaryJusticeImmigration
and Asylum

Civil Law
• Youth Justice
Penitentiaries
Gambling
8 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Enneüs Heerma
(1944–1999)
State SecretaryEconomic AffairsTrade and Export
17 July 1986 –
27 October 1986
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Yvonne van Rooy
(born 1951)
30 October 1986 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Albert-Jan
Evenhuis
(1941–2011)
Small and
Medium-sized
Businesses

Regional
Development

• Consumer
Protection
Tourism
14 July 1986 –
30 June 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Jan van
Houwelingen

(1939–2013)
State SecretaryDefenceHuman
Resources

Equipment
14 September 1981 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Dick Dees
(born 1944)
State SecretaryWelfare, Health
and Culture
Primary
Healthcare

• Social Services
Environmental
Policy
14 July 1986 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Louw de Graaf
(1930–2020)
State SecretarySocial Affairs and
Employment
• Social Security
• Unemployment
Occupational
Safety

Integration
• Minorities
5 November 1982 –
3 February 1987
Christian
Democratic Appeal
6 May 1987 –
1 October 1989
Nell Ginjaar-Maas
(1931–2012)
State SecretaryEducation and
Sciences
Primary
Education

Secondary
Education

Adult
Education
5 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Gerrit Brokx
(1933–2002)
State SecretaryHousing, Spatial
Planning and the
Environment
5 November 1982 –
23 October 1986
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Enneüs Heerma
(1944–1999)
27 October 1986 –
22 August 1994
Christian
Democratic Appeal

Trivia

External links

Official

Notes and References

  1. NRC-enquête: Drees en Lubbers beste premiers sinds 1900, NRC Handelsblad, 28 September 2013
  2. Web site: De jaren tachtig van Onno Ruding. Historisch Nieuwsblad. 19 August 2001. 16 February 2018. nl.