 | ||
The first Biesheuvel cabinet (6 July 1971 - 9 August 1972) was a Dutch cabinet with ministers from ARP, CHU (both Protestant), Roman Catholic KVP, the conservative-liberal VVD and moderate socialist DS'70, which had just split off from PvdA.
Problems of the cabinet were the release of war criminals (three of Breda) and the increasing inflation, combined with a stagnating economy (stagflation). The decision to cut government expenses was not supported by DS'70, so the cabinet lost its majority in the parliament, resulting in Biesheuvel II.
Minister Stuyt, the first minister for environmental affairs, issued an urgency-note concerning the environment. In 1972, the first report from the Club of Rome was published, which showed that the environment is in a bad state worldwide and that resources will eventually run out.
The cabinet recognised the GDR and voted to allow China back into the United Nations.