For the 1981 general election, Van Agt was reelected as lead candidate. Its election manifesto was titled "For a meaningful existence" () and compared to the previous manifesto shifted responsibility from the government to society. CDA became the largest party, despite losing a seat. Because CDA and VVD had lost their majority, the second Van Agt cabinet with PvdA and D66 was formed in the 1981 cabinet formation. Bad relations between PvdA and CDA led to crises from the start, and the cabinet fell within a year. Van Agt led the rump cabinet Van Agt III with D66 to prepare the next election.
For the 1981 general election, Van Agt was reelected as lead candidate. Its election manifesto was t,itled "For a meaningful existence" () and compared to the previous manifesto shifted responsibility from the government to society. CDA became the largest party despite losing a seat. Because CDA and VVD had lost their majority, the second Van Agt cabinet with PvdA and D66 was formed in the 1981 cabinet formation. Bad relations between PvdA and CDA led to crises from the start, and the cabinet fell within a year. Van Agt led the rump cabinet Van Agt III with D66 to prepare the next election.