Schlüter I cabinet

In the early 1980s, Denmark was suffering from economic problems including high inflation, an unemployment rate of around 10%, and a large government deficit.^[13] On 3 September 1982, Anker Jørgensen's government resigned after failing to get support for their austerity policies and Margrethe II invited Poul Schlüter to try to form a new government.^[14] Schlüter and his four-party coalition government were sworn into office on 10 September,^[1] making the handover one of the quickest in Denmark's history.^[15] The new government promised to implement spending cuts across all sectors.^[15]

The 1984 general election was called when the coalition's Finance Bill was defeated.^[16] After a 10-hour debate on the bill, and with the Social Democrats and the Progress Party opposing it, the government was defeated by 93 votes to 77.^[16] At the 1984 election, the coalition increased its seat total to 77, still short of a majority of 90.^[6] The Schlüter II cabinet was formed the next day with the same coalition parties and ministers.^[10]