De Jong cabinet

The De Jong cabinet was the executive branch of the Dutch Government from 5 April 1967 until 6 July 1971. The cabinet was formed by the christian-democratic Catholic People's Party (KVP), Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP) and Christian Historical Union (CHU) and the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) after the election of 1967. The cabinet was a centre-right coalition and had a substantial majority in the House of Representatives with prominent Catholic politician Piet de Jong the Minister of Defence in the previous cabinet serving as Prime Minister. Prominent Liberal politician Johan Witteveen a former Minister of Finances served as Deputy Prime Minister and returned as Minister of Finance, prominent Protestant politician Joop Bakker the Minister of Economic Affairs in the previous cabinet served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Transport and Water Management and was given the portfolio of Suriname and Netherlands Antilles Affairs.

De Jong cabinet

52nd Cabinet of the Netherlands
The installation of the De Jong cabinet on 5 April 1967
Date formed5 April 1967 (1967-04-05)
Date dissolved6 July 1971 (1971-07-06)
4 years, 92 days in office
(Demissionary from 28 April 1971 (1971-04-28))
People and organisations
MonarchQueen Juliana
Prime MinisterPiet de Jong
Deputy Prime MinisterJohan Witteveen
Joop Bakker
No. of ministers14
Ministers removed1
Total no. of members15
Member partyCatholic People's Party
(KVP)
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy

(VVD)
Anti-Revolutionary Party
(ARP)
Christian Historical Union
(CHU)
Status in legislatureCentre-right
Majority government
History
Election(s)1967 election
Outgoing election1971 election
Legislature term(s)1967–1971
Incoming formation1967 formation
Outgoing formation1971 formation
PredecessorZijlstra cabinet
SuccessorFirst Biesheuvel cabinet

The cabinet served in the final years of the tumultuous 1960s and the beginning of the radical 1970s. Domestically it had to deal with the peak of the counterculture but it was able to implement several major social reforms to education, social security, the introduction of value-added taxes and it had to deal with several crises involving Moluccan nationalists. Internationally it oversaw improvements in relations with the former Dutch East Indies, growing protests against the Vietnam War and the fallout of the Soviet Union invasion of Czechoslovakia following the Prague Spring. The cabinet suffered no major internal conflicts and completed its entire term and was succeeded by the First Biesheuvel cabinet following the election of 1971.[1][2][3]

Formation

Following the fall of the Cals cabinet on 14 October 1966 the Labour Party (PvdA) left the coalition, subsequently Queen Juliana appointed Senator Jelle Zijlstra (ARP), a former Minister of Finance as Prime Minister to form a rump cabinet with the Catholic People's Party and the Anti-Revolutionary Party. On 22 November 1966 the Zijlstra cabinet was installed and served as a caretaker government until the election of 1967.

After the election on 15 February 1967 the Catholic People's Party was the winner of the election even after losing 8 seats and had now a total of 40 seats in the House of Representatives. Incumbent Prime Minister Jelle Zijlstra was appointed as Informateur by Queen Juliana to start the cabinet formation process. After a first round of talks the Catholic People's Party, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Anti-Revolutionary Party and the Christian Historical Union agreed to form a coalition. On 6 March 1967, Queen Juliana appointed Vice-President of the Council of State Louis Beel (KVP), a former Prime Minister as the new Informateur to start the next formation phase.

On 9 March 1967 incumbent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Barend Biesheuvel, the Leader of the Anti-Revolutionary Party was asked to form a new cabinet and was asked to become Formateur. The negotiations were troubled by objections from the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy about prospect of Barend Biesheuvel as Prime Minister because he served in the previous Centre-left Cals cabinet. On 20 March 1967 after long negotiations between the parties, Barend Biesheuvel failed to form a cabinet. In order to break the deadlock the Catholic People's Party suggested that incumbent Minister of Defence Piet de Jong (KVP) would be a good candidate to form a new cabinet. Piet de Jong a former Naval officer who served as a World War II submarine commander had a good reputation as a pragmatic minister and was seen as a compromise candidate. On 21 March 1967 Piet de Jong was tasked with forming a new cabinet and was appointed as Formateur. On 4 April 1967 the cabinet formation was completed and the De Jong cabinet was installed the next day.

Term

It was the first Cabinet of the Netherlands after World War II that completed a full term without any internal conflicts. The cabinet was confronted with a demand for democratic reforms in the society and it decided to democratise colleges and universities after the famous maagdenhuisbezetting. Plans were made to modernise politics by establishing an electoral system with districts or a chosen prime minister, but these plans were not implemented. Meanwhile, a pay pause due to the decision of employers and employees to raise wages was partly revoked after anti-government demonstrations and strikes. More unrest took shape in demonstrations against the war in Vietnam. Internationally, relations with Indonesia improved, resulting in a visit by president Suharto, which was, however, overshadowed by the occupation of the Indonesian embassy by Moluccans. The Soviet Union invasion in Czechoslovakia was seen as a reason to increase the defence budget.[4][5]

Changes

On 7 January 1970, Minister of Economic Affairs Leo de Block (KVP) resigned after disagreeing with the cabinets decision to increase the wages in the metal industry, but another reason was that he had lost the credibility to remain in office after the House of Representatives was highly critical in his handling of the rising inflation after the introduction of the value-added tax (BTW) on 1 January 1969. Minister of Finance Johan Witteveen (VVD) served as acting Minister of Economic Affairs until 14 January 1970 when Member of the House of Representatives Roelof Nelissen (KVP) was appointed as his successor.

Taoiseach of Ireland Jack Lynch and Prime Minister Piet de Jong at the Ministry of General Affairs on 22 June 1967.
Secretary-General of the United Nations U Thant and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Luns at a press conference at Airport Schiphol on 7 April 1968.
Prime Minister of Luxembourg Pierre Werner, Prime Minister Piet de Jong and Prime Minister of Belgium Gaston Eyskens at a Benelux conference in The Hague on 28 April 1968.
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Luns at a press conference at Airport Schiphol on 15 July 1968.
West-German Minister of Foreign Affairs Willy Brandt, Prime Minister Piet de Jong, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Harold Macmillan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Luns at a European Economic Community conference in the Ridderzaal on 8 November 1968.
Prime Minister Piet de Jong and Chancellor of West-Germany Willy Brandt at Ypenburg Airport on 1 December 1969.
Prime Minister of Italy Mariano Rumor and Prime Minister Piet de Jong at Ypenburg Airport on 1 December 1969.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Luns and President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito in Rotterdam on 21 October 1970.

Cabinet Members

Ministers Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) Term of office Party
Piet de Jong Captain
Piet de Jong
(1915–2016)
Prime Minister General Affairs 5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Johan Witteveen Dr.
Johan Witteveen
(1921–2019)
Deputy
Prime Minister
Finance 5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Minister
Joop Bakker Joop Bakker
(1921–2003)
Deputy
Prime Minister
Transport and
Water Management
5 April 1967 –
6 July 197
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Minister
Minister Interior Suriname and
Netherlands
Antilles Affairs
Henk Beernink Henk Beernink
(1910–1979)
Minister Interior 5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian
Historical Union
Joseph Luns Joseph Luns
(1911–2002)
Minister Foreign Affairs 13 October 1956 –
6 July 1971
[Retained]
Catholic
People's Party
Carel Polak Carel Polak
(1909–1981)
Minister Justice 5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Leo de Block Leo de Block
(1904–1988)
Minister Economic Affairs 5 April 1967 –
7 January 1970
[Res]
Catholic
People's Party
Johan Witteveen Dr.
Johan Witteveen
(1921–2019)
7 January 1970 –
14 January 1970
[Ad Interim]
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Roelof Nelissen Roelof Nelissen
(1931–2019)
7 January 1970 –
14 January 1970
Catholic
People's Party
Willem den Toom Lieutenant general
Willem den Toom
(1911–1998)
Minister Defence 5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Bauke Roolvink Bauke Roolvink
(1912–1979)
Minister Social Affairs
and Health
5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Gerard Veringa Dr.
Gerard Veringa
(1924–1999)
Minister Education and
Sciences
5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Pierre Lardinois Pierre Lardinois
(1924–1987)
Minister Agriculture and
Fisheries
5 April 1967 –
1 January 1973
[Continued]
Catholic
People's Party
Wim Schut Wim Schut
(1920–2006)
Minister Housing and
Spatial Planning
5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Marga Klompé Dr.
Marga Klompé
(1912–1986)
Minister Culture, Recreation
and Social Work
22 November 1966 –
7 January 1971
[Retained] [Note]
Catholic
People's Party
Gerard Veringa Dr.
Gerard Veringa
(1924–1999)
7 January 1971 –
22 February 1971
[Acting]
Catholic
People's Party
Marga Klompé Dr.
Marga Klompé
(1912–1986)
22 February 1971 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Minister without portfolio Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) Term of office Party
Bé Udink Bé Udink
(1926–2016)
Minister Foreign Affairs Development
Cooperation
5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian
Historical Union
State Secretaries Title/Ministry/Portfolio(s) Term of office Party
Chris van Veen Chris van Veen
(1922–2009)
State Secretary Interior Municipalities
Provinces
Civil Service
10 May 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian
Historical Union
Hans de Koster Hans de Koster
(1914–1992)
State Secretary Foreign Affairs European Union
Benelux
NATO
12 June 1967 –
6 July 1971
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Ferd Grapperhaus I Dr.
Ferd Grapperhaus I
(1927–2010)
State Secretary Finance Fiscal Policy
Tax and Customs
Governmental
Budget
10 May 1967 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Klaas Wiersma Dr.
Klaas Wiersma
(1917–1993)
State Secretary Justice Immigration
and Asylum

Penitentiaries
20 April 1970 –
6 July 1971
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Louis van Son Louis van Son
(1922–1986)
State Secretary Economic Affairs Trade and Export
Small and
Medium-sized
Businesses

Regional
Development

• Consumer
Protection
Tourism
28 November 1966 –
6 July 1971
[Retained]
Catholic
People's Party
Joop Haex Major General
Joop Haex
(1911–2002)
State Secretary Defence Army 18 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian
Historical Union
Adri van Es Vice admiral
Adri van Es
(1913–1994)
Navy 14 August 1963 –
16 September 1972
[Retained] [Continued]
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Bob Duynstee Bob Duynstee
(1920–2014)
Air Force 28 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Roelof Kruisinga Dr.
Roelof Kruisinga
(1922–2012)
State Secretary Social Affairs
and Health
Primary
Healthcare

Elderly Care
Disability Policy
Medical Ethics
18 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian
Historical Union
Hans Grosheide Hans Grosheide
(1930-2022)
State Secretary Education and
Sciences
Primary
Education

Secondary
Education

Special
Education
3 September 1963 –
6 July 1971
[Retained]
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Mike Keyzer Mike Keyzer
(1911–1983)
State Secretary Transport and
Water Management
Public
Transport

Aviation
Rail Transport
Water
Management

Weather
Forecasting
18 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Hein van de Poel Hein van de Poel
(1915–1993)
State Secretary Culture, Recreation
and Social Work
• Unemployment
• Social Services
Youth Care
• Nature
Culture
Art
• Recreation
Sport
29 May 1967 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Resigned
Retained from the previous cabinet
Continued in the next cabinet
Acting
Ad Interim
Medical leave of absence from 7 January 1971 until 22 February 1971

Trivia

  • Six cabinet members had previous experience as scholars and professors: Johan Witteveen (Financial Economics), Carel Polak (Administrative and Agricultural Law), Gerard Veringa (Criminology and Criminal Law), Ferd Grapperhaus I (Fiscal Law), Klaas Wiersma (Civil Law) and Roelof Kruisinga (Otorhinolaryngology).
  • Three cabinet members were flag officers: Willem den Toom (Lieutenant General in the Air Force), Joop Haex (Major General in the Army) and Adri van Es (Vice Admiral in the Navy).
  • Eight cabinet members had served during World War II either in the military or the Resistance: Piet de Jong (Navy), Willem den Toom (Air Force), Wim Schut (Resistance), Marga Klompé (Resistance), Hans de Koster (Resistance), Joop Haex (Army), Adri van Es (Navy) and Bob Duynstee (Army).
  • Four cabinet members (later) served as Party Leaders and Lijsttrekkers: Henk Beernink (1963–1967), Bé Udink (1970–1971) and Roelof Kruisinga (1971–1977) of the Christian Historical Union and Gerard Veringa (1971) of the Catholic People's Party.
  • The age difference between the first Minister of Economic Affairs Leo de Block (born 1904) and his successor Roelof Nelissen (born 1931) was 26 years, 233 days.

References

  1. (in Dutch) P. J. S. (Piet) de Jong 5 April 1967 – 6 juli 1971, Geschiedenis24, 9 December 2005
  2. (in Dutch) De putschisten zijn onder ons, De Groene Amsterdammer, 28 October 2005
  3. "Het succesvolle kabinet-De Jong 1967-1971" (in Dutch). Historiek. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  4. Jan Willem Brouwer; Johan van Merriënboer (2001). Van buitengaats naar Binnenhof: P.J.S. de Jong, een biografie. Sdu Uitgevers. p. 10. ISBN 9789012087742.
  5. (in Dutch) ‘De oorlog was de oorzaak van geduvel in ’68’, NRC Handelsblad, 10 May 2008
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