First cabinet of Wim Kok

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The First cabinet of Wim Kok (1994-1998), also called the "Purple Coalition" because of its social-democrat (red) and liberal (blue) components, was a Dutch government formed by the political parties PVDA, VVD and D66. D66 had won its greatest political victory with the slogan that the Christian democrats should be in the opposition for a change. The desire to form a cabinet without the Christian Democrats was based on the pivotal role in the political center that the Christian-democrat political parties play in Dutch politics, which allowed them to be part of each government since 1917.

The main aim of the cabinet was to create employment. The Dutch economy had been in a strong recession for years. The market should get more influence in the economy. This let to a policy of tax reduction, economizing and trying to keep people out of the social care by supporting employment. Large infrastructural projects were started. Another aim was to make an end to the enormous debt of the Dutch government.

The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed during this cabinet. The Srebrenica massacre occurred, which was the toughest experience in the political life of the ministers involved.

The non-Christian coalition supported by a non-Christian majority in the parliament were responsible for extending the civil liberties of Dutch citizens by passing legislation regulating euthanasia, gay marriage and legalized prostitution.

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