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Second Gerbrandy cabinet

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2nd Gerbrandy Cabinet (London, 1944)

The second cabinet of Gerbrandy (1941–1945) was one of the four cabinets during the Dutch government in exile which were seated in London. The cabinet was formed after a conflict between Queen Wilhelmina and minister Dijxhoorn of Defence regarding his Bureau Bijzondere Aangelegenheden (Bureau Special Affairs) leading to his dismissal. After that, all ministers of the first Gerbrandy cabinet put their resignation forwards, leading to a restructuring of the posts and the formation of the second Gerbrandy cabinet. Also during the second Gerbrandy cabinet, there are regular frictions between ministers and the Queen, leading to changes at several ministries.

The government, led by Queen Wilhelmina, is the main inspiration for many of the resistance fighters in the Netherlands through radio addresses. Important actions of the cabinet include the recognition of the Soviet Union (July 1942), declaration of war against Japan (December 1942), the announcement that after the war the relations between the Netherlands and the Dutch Indies will change (by the Queen in December 1942) and the re-establishment in July 1943 of the representation at the Vatican.

During the first and second cabinet of Gerbrandy plans are made for post-war prosecution of "wrongful" (foute)Dutch civilians (collaborators with the Germans). On January 27, 1945 minister Burger of Interior Affairs holds a radio speech, differentiating between "wrongful" Dutch civilians (foute Nederlanders) and Dutch civilians who made a mistake (Nederlanders die een fout hebben gemaakt). He was asked by the prime minister to resign - but because Gerbrandy did not discuss this with his fellow ministers, all SDAP-ministers resigned, leading to the third Gerbrandy cabinet.

Ministers