Night of Schmelzer

The Night of Schmelzer was a debate in the House of the Representatives of the Netherlands that took place from 13 October to the early hours of 14 October 1966. The night was the last day of the general debate on the 1967 budget, which had started on 11 October. During the conclusion of the debate, Norbert Schmelzer, the parliamentary group leader of the Catholic People's Party (KVP), introduced a motion against the Cals cabinet. This cabinet included members from the KVP, alongside Labour Party (PvdA) en de Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP). The motion was perceived by the cabinet as a vote of no confidence, but it was passed regardless. As a result, the cabinet resigned on 15 October.

The Night of Schmelzer catalyzed ongoing developments in Dutch politics. Within the Labour Party, distrust of the KVP grew, leading to a polarization strategy and the rise of the New Left faction. This Night accelerated the KVP's electoral decline, which had begun with depillarisation. Christian radicals, who preferred cooperation with the PvdA, split off from the KVP in 1968 to form the Political Party of Radicals. On the other side, the Night contributed to KVP, CHU and ARP forming the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). Anti-establishment parties like the Farmers' Party and the newly founded Democrats 66, established on 14 October 1966, saw increased popularity in the 1967 general election.