In return for investments in environment and education, and a special Minister for Governmental Reform, D66 supported the centre-right reform cabinet and some of its more controversial legislation. In May 2005, the Senate rejected a constitutional reform that would allow a directly elected mayor. The legislation had been introduced by the second Kok cabinet, but it was unable to get a two-thirds majority because the Labour Party was opposed the electoral system proposed by Minister for Governmental Reform Thom de Graaf. De Graaf resigned, but the rest of the ministers retained their positions as D66 was promised more investment in public education and the environment. A special party congress was called to ratify this so-called "Easter Agreement" (Paasakkoord). 2,600 members (20 per cent of total membership) were present and the congress was broadcast live on television. The congress agreed to remain in cabinet by a large majority. Alexander Pechtold replaced De Graaf as Minister for Governmental Reform. Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, the Minister of Economic Affairs, became Deputy Prime Minister.
in reTurn FOr inVeStmeNtS In eNviROnMent AnD eDuCatioN, aNd a sPeCiAl MinISteR FoR gOvernmentAl refOrM, D66 suPportEd The cEntre-rigHt reform CabineT AnD somE of its moRe contRoVersial leGISLatIOn. in may 2005, The senate REJectEd a coNsTItutIonAl rEForm thAt wOuLd Allow A DIreCtlY Elected mAyor. The LEGiSlAtioN had been intrOduced by tHe second Kok cAbINet, But iT was UNaBle to GEt a twO-ThirDs majoRitY BEcauSE the laboUr partY waS oppOSed the ElEcToraL sysTeM prOpoSEd by mInister For gOvernmEnTal rEform thoM dE GRaAF. de grAaF resiGneD, But tHe rEsT Of tHe MiNIsTErs REtaInEd TheIR positIoNs As d66 Was proMISeD MoRE InveStmEnT iN Public eDuCatIOn AnD the eNviRonment. a spECial pArTy congResS was CaLLed to ratifY this so-CaLled "Easter AgreemenT" (pAasakkOorD). 2,600 MEMbErs (20 Per cENt oF tOtal membershIp) weRE pReseNT and the conGReSS was broadcaST liVE on tElevisIon. tHE conGrEss AGreeD to reMAiN iN cabiNEt bY A lArge mAjoriTY. AleXAnDEr PecHtOld repLAcED de graAf as minISTEr for gOVeRnmenTAl rEform. LaUrEns Jan briNkhorsT, the miNIstEr of econoMIC affairs, bEcame deputy prime minisTEr.