Third Balkenende cabinet
The third Balkenende was the Government of the Netherlands, which was formed on 7 July 2006 after the crisis and the subsequent resignation of the Second Balkenende. This minority cabinet consisted of the Christians Democratisch Appèl (CDA ) and the Volkspartij voor de Vrijheid Democracy (VVD ) and was negotiated by the former Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers. The main task of this transitional government was the preparation of the Dutch parliamentary elections on 22 November 2006 and in the budget planning for the year 2007. Cabinet renovation became necessary after the coalition partners Democraten had left 66 the government because of a dispute to Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Minority governments are the exception in the Dutch policy. The last there had been in 1982 under Prime Minister Dries van Agt.
Composition
The Cabinet consisted of 16 ministers ( nine CDA, VVD seven ) and seven secretaries of state ( four CDA, VVD three ).