Page "Labour Party (Netherlands)" Paragraph 19

It was expected that the PvdA would do well in the upcoming 2006 elections, but the party lost the race for Prime Minister to the Christian Democratic Appeal after suffering a loss of 9 seats.

The PvdA now held only 33 seats, losing many votes to the Socialist Party.

The PvdA had previously distanced themselves from the idea of a voting bloc on the left.

It did however join the fourth Balkenende cabinet in which Wouter Bos became minister of Finance.

In the aftermath of the lost elections the entire party executive stepped down on 26 April 2007.

On Saturday 20 February 2010, the Labour Party withdrew from the government after arguments over Afghanistan.