THE NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a

parliamentary system of government. The ruling monarch,
Queen Beatrix, is the Head of State. Holland's parliament
Staten !eneraal" consists of an #pper House and $ower
House, with mem%ers elected %y the country's provincial
councils and the general electorate, respectively, using a
system of proportional representation. The seat of government
is The Hague.
The political system of the Netherlands is characteri&ed
%y a large num%er of political parties, many of whom are
represented in government. Traditionally, the dominant
political parties have included the $a%or 'arty 'vd(", the
)hristian *emocrats )*(" and the $i%erals ++*".
The Head of State and the 'rime ,inister are
responsi%le for signing laws and (cts passed %y parliament,
and )a%inet ,inisters and State Secretaries are responsi%le
for their implementation. -ach year, Queen Beatrix delivers
the Troonrede speech, which sets out the government policies
for the year ahead.
Traditionally, the Netherlands has en.oyed a relatively
sta%le political system which reflects the consensual and
efficient organi&ation of *utch life in general and is %ased on
what has %een termed the /poldermodel/, derived from the
word for an area of land surrounded %y protective di0es to
protect it from high waters. 1n a similar way, it is argued, life in
the Netherlands is highly organi&ed and planned, and has
traditionally %een inclusive of different views and attitudes, with
politics %eing %ased on negotiation and consensus rather than
conflict. This is also reflected in the tolerant attitudes held %y
many *utch people which have resulted in the country's li%eral
laws governing, for example, sexual practices and drugs.
1n recent years, however, the polder model has %een
seriously sha0en %y a num%er of ma.or political upheavals and
scandals and two political murders, lin0ed to growing pu%lic
concerns a%out immigration and international terrorism. 1n
2332, the politician 'im 4ortuyn, who had risen to fame on an
anti5immigration platform, was 0illed, and 2336 saw the murder
of Theo +an !ogh, who had made a controversial film on the
position of women in 1slamic society.
( period of considera%le political insta%ility followed,
which included the collapse, over immigration issues, of 'rime
,inister Bal0enende's center5right coalition in 7une 2338, and
an interim period of temporary government followed until
Bal0enende was re5appointed in 4e%ruary 2339 as the head of
a three5party centrist coalition consisting of the )hristian
*emocrats, the $a%or 'arty and the )hristian #nion. This new
government plans more moderate economic reforms than its
predecessor, which had come up against considera%le pu%lic
protest, and is ta0ing a softer line on immigration policy.
The Netherlands also has provincial and municipal
governments with responsi%ility for the administration of
various aspects of life in the Netherlands. ,unicipal
governments generally deal with issues such as education,
health, recreation and water supply, while provincial
governments have responsi%ilities including environmental
issues, ur%an and rural planning, sports and cultural affairs.
(ll -# citi&ens aged :; or over who are resident in the
Netherlands on the day that candidates are nominated, and
non5-# nationals who have lived in the Netherlands for at
least < years, are eligi%le to vote in municipal elections and -#
citi&ens are also entitled to vote in -uropean 'arliament
elections. -# nationals living in Holland can stand for *utch
elections to the -uropean 'arliament, while non5*utch
nationals can also stand for election to municipal councils if
they are also resident in the Netherlands at the time of %eing
admitted to the municipal council. ,em%ers of consular or
diplomatic staff and their family mem%ers who are residing in
the Netherlands are not allowed to vote.
Politics of the Netherlands
The politics of the Netherlands ta0e place within the
framewor0 of a parliamentary representative democracy,
a constitutional monarchy and a decentrali&ed unitary
state. The Netherlands is descri%ed as a consociation
state. *utch politics and governance are characteri&ed %y a
common striving for %road consensus on important issues,
within %oth the political community and society as a whole.
Summary
Monarchy
=ing
o >illem5(lexander
)ouncil of ,inisters
o ,inister 'lenipotentiary of (ru%a
o ,inister 'lenipotentiary of )uracao
o ,inister 'lenipotentiary of Sint ,aarten
Cabinet
'rime ,inister
o ,ar0 ?utte current"
*eputy 'rime ,inister
o $odewi.0 (sscher
)a%inet
o 8@
th
)a%inet
States!eneral
Senate
o 'resident
4red de !raaf
House of ?epresentatives
o 'resident
(nouch0a van ,itten%urg
'arliamentary )ommittees
"udiciary
Supreme )ourt
High )ouncils of States
o National Am%udsman
o )ouncil of State
o )ourt of (udit
Constitution
The constitution lists the %asic civil and social rights of
the *utch citi&ens and it descri%es the position and function of
the institutions that have executive, legislative and .udiciary
power.
1t should %e noted that the constitution of the
Netherlands is only applica%le in the -uropean part of
the =ingdom of the Netherlands. The =ingdom as a whole has
its own Statute, descri%ing its federate political system which
also includes the )ari%%ean islands
of (ru%a, )uraBao and Sint ,aarten and Caribisch Nederland,
the islands Bonaire, Sint -ustatius and Sa%a.
The Netherlands do not have a )onstitutional
)ourt and .udges do not have the authority to review laws on
their constitutionality. 1nternational treaties and the Statute of
the =ingdom, however, overrule *utch law and the constitution
and .udges are allowed to review laws against these in a
particular court case. 4urthermore all legislation that is not a
law in the strict sense of the word such as policy guidelines or
laws proposed %y provincial or municipal government" can %e
tested on their constitutionality.
(mendments to the constitution must %e approved %y
%oth Houses of the States5!eneral Staten Generaal" twice.
The first time around, this reCuires a ma.ority vote. (fter
parliament has %een dissolved and general elections are held,
%oth Houses must approve the proposed amendments with a
two5thirds vote.
Political institutions
,a.or political institutions are the monarchy,
the ca%inet, the States5!eneral parliament" and the .udicial
system. There are three other High )olleges of state, which
stand on eCual foot with parliament %ut have a less political
role, of which the )ouncil of State is the most important.
Ather levels of government are the municipalities, the water
%oards and the provinces. (lthough not mentioned in the
constitution, political parties and the social partners organi&ed
in the Social -conomic )ouncil are important political
institutions as well.
1t is important to reali&e that the Netherlands does not
have a traditional separation of powersD according to the
constitution the States5!eneral and the government the =ing
and ca%inet" share the legislative power. (ll legislation has to
pass through the )ouncil of State *utchD ?aad van State" for
advice and the social5economic council advises the
government on most social5economic legislation.
The executive power is reserved for government. Note
however that the Social5-conomic )ouncil has the special
right to ma0e and enforce legislation on several sectors,
mostly in agriculture. The .udicial power is divided into two
separate systems of courts. 4or civil and criminal law the
independent Supreme )ourt is the highest court.
4or administrative law the ?aad van State is the highest court,
which is ex officio chaired %y the =ing.
Monarchy
The Netherlands has %een a monarchy since ,arch
:8, :;:<, %ut has %een governed %y mem%ers of the House of
Arange5Nassau %y chosen and later hereditary stadtholders"
since :<<8, when >illiam of Arange5Nassau was appointed
stadtholder and led the successful *utch ?evolt against Spain.
The present monarchy was originally founded in :;:E.
(fter the expulsion of the 4rench, the 'rince of Arange was
proclaimed Sovereign 'rince of The Netherlands. The new
monarchy was confirmed in :;:< at the )ongress of
+ienna as part of the re5arrangement of -urope after the fall
of Napoleon Bonaparte. The House of Arange5Nassau were
given the present day Netherlands and Belgium to govern as
the #nited =ingdom of the Netherlands. Between :;:< and
:;@3, the =ing of the Netherlands was also !rand *u0e of
$uxem%ourg.
The current monarch is >illem5(lexander. The heir
apparent is the 'rincess of Arange, )atharina5(malia.
#illemAle$ander of the
Netherlands% the current Dutch
monarch
)onstitutionally, the =ing is head
of state and has a role in the
formation of government and in the legislative process. He has
to co5sign every law to ma0e it valid. The monarch is also ex
officio chair of the )ouncil of State, which advises the ca%inet
on every piece of legislation and is the final court for
administrative law. (lthough the =ing ta0es these functions
seriously, he refrains from exerting his power in these
positions. The =ing also plays a central role in the formation of
a ca%inet after general elections or a ca%inet crisis. Since
coalition ca%inets of two or more parties are the rule, this
process has influence on government policy for years to come.
He appoints the in"formateur, who chairs the formation tal0s,
after consulting the leaders of all parties represented in
parliament. >hen the formation tal0s have %een concluded the
=ing appoints the ca%inet. Because this advice is a matter of
pu%lic record, the =ing cannot easily ta0e a direction which is
contrary to the advice of a ma.ority in parliament. An the other
hand, what is actually tal0ed a%out %ehind the closed doors of
the palace is not 0nown. >hen a ca%inet falls, the prime
minister has to reCuest the =ing to dismiss the ca%inet.
Prime Minister Mar& Rutte '()*)present+
Cabinet
The government of the Netherlands constitutionally
consists of the =ing and the ca%inet ministers. The =ing's role
is limited to the formation of government and he does not
actively interfere in daily decision5ma0ing. The ministers
together form the )ouncil of ,inisters. This executive council
initiates laws and policy. 1t meets every 4riday in the
TrFves&aal at the Binnenhof. >hile most of the ministers head
government ministries, since :@E@ it has %een permissi%le to
appoint ministers without portfolio.
Political parties
The system of proportional representation, com%ined with
the historical social division %etween )atholics, 'rotestants,
Socialists and $i%erals has resulted in a multiparty system.
The ma.or political parties are )*(, 'vd(, and ++*. The
parties currently represented in the *utch House of
?epresentatives areD
)hristian *emocratic (ppeal )*(", a )entre5
right )hristian *emocratic 'arty. 1t holds to the principle
that government activity should supplement %ut not
supplant communal action %y citi&ens. The )*( puts its
philosophy %etween the /individualism/ of the ++* and the
/statism/ of the 'vd(.
The $a%or 'arty 'vd(", a social democratic, )entre $a%or
'arty. 1ts program is moderately progressive and focused
on issues such as employment, social security and
healthcare.
The 'arty for 4reedom '++", an anti51slam 'opulist 'arty
founded and dominated %y !eert >ilders, formerly of the
++*. 1ts philosophy is %ased on opposition to immigration
and -uropean integration and populist socialism.
The Socialist 'arty S'", in its first years a radical
socialistGcommunist party, a ,aoist split from
the )ommunist 'arty Netherlands, is now a %ig socialist
party, very progressive on economic issues and
advocating more socialism, government control %ut at the
same time ta0ing more conservative positions on issues
li0e integration and national identity than the 'vd(,
generally populist.
The 'eople's 'arty for 4reedom and *emocracy ++*",
a conservative li%eral party. 1t has some sympathy
for private enterprise and economic freedom compared to
other *utch parties. ++* has supported prioriti&ing
security over civil li%erties.
*emocrats 88 *88", a Social5$i%eral party. The party
supports li%eral policies on social issues. *88 is also a
supporter of -uropean integration and some non5
fundamental economic reform. The party supports open
immigration, secularism, -# integration, and is relatively
supportive of civil li%erties and privacy.
!reen $eft !roen$in0s" com%ines, as its name
implies green environmentalist ideals with left socialist"
leanings. The party is strongly in favor of the multicultural
society, government control of the economy, high taxes,
social engineering and %elieves strongly in man5made
glo%al warming.
)hristian #nion )hristen#nie", a )hristian5democratic
party made up %y mostly orthodox 'rotestant )hristians,
with conservative stances on a%ortion, euthanasia and gay
marriage. 1n other areas the party is considered center5left,
for instance on immigration, welfare state and
environment.
The 'arty for the (nimals is a single5issue animal
rights party with natural affinity for environmental issues. 1n
general, the party is considered left5wing.
The 'olitical ?eformed 'arty S!'", the most orthodox
'rotestant party with conservative policiesD government is
only to serve !od. 1t is a testimonial party. Anly in 2338
and after heavy political pressure were women allowed to
%e mem%ers of this party. ?elia%ly earns 2 out of :<3 seats
in parliament.
Council of State
The )ouncil of State is an advisory %ody of ca%inet on
constitutional and .udicial aspects of legislature and policy. (ll
laws proposed %y the ca%inet have to %e sent to the )ouncil of
State for advice. (lthough the advice is not %inding, the
ca%inet is reCuired to react to the advice and it often plays a
significant role in the ensuing de%ate in 'arliament. 1n addition
the )ouncil is the highest administrative court.
The )ouncil is ex officio chaired %y the ,onarch. The
pro%a%le heir to the throne %ecomes a mem%er of the )ouncil
when reaching legal adulthood. The ,onarch leaves daily
affairs to the vice5chair of the )ouncil, 'iet Hein *onner and
the other councillors, who are mainly legal specialists, former
ministers, mem%ers of parliament and .udges or professors of
law.
Hi,h Councils of State
The *utch political system has five so called the High
)ouncils of State, which are explicitly regarded as
independent %y the )onstitution. (part from the two Houses of
'arliament and the )ouncil of State, these are the Netherlands
)ourt of (udit and the National Am%udsman.
The )ourt of (udit investigates whether pu%lic funds
are collected and spent legitimately and effectively. The
National Am%udsman investigates complaints a%out the
functioning and practices of government. (s with the advice of
the )ouncil of State, the reports from these organi&ations are
not easily put aside and often play a role in pu%lic and political
de%ate.
"udicial system
The .udiciary comprises eleven district courts, four
courts of appeal, three administrative courts of appeal )entral
(ppeals Tri%unal, Trade and 1ndustry (ppeals Tri%unal and
)ouncil of State" and the Supreme )ourt. (ll .udicial
appointments are made %y the !overnment. 7udges are
appointed for life until they retire at the age of 93.
Ad-isory councils
(s part of the *utch tradition of depolitici&ed
consensus decision ma0ing, the government often ma0es use
of advisory councils composed out of academic specialists or
sta0e holders.
The most prominent advisory council is the Social5
-conomic )ouncil Sociaal -conomische ?aad, S-?". 1t is
composed of trade unions, employers' organi&ations and
government5appointed specialists. 1t is consulted at an early
stage in financial, economic and social policyma0ing. 1t
advises government and its advice, .ust li0e the advice of
the High )olleges of State, cannot easily %e set aside. The
S-? heads a system of 'BAs, self5regulating organi&ations
that can ma0e laws for specific economic sectors.
Ather prominent advisory councils are the Bureau for
-conomic 'olicy (nalysis, which forecasts economic
developmentH the Statistics Netherlands which studies social
and economic developmentsH the Social and )ultural 'lanning
Affice, which studies long term social and cultural trendsH
the Netherlands National 1nstitute for 'u%lic Health and the
-nvironment which advises the government on environmental
and health issuesH and the Scientific )ouncil for !overnment
'olicy, which advises the government on long term social,
political and economic trends.
Subnational ,o-ernment
?egional government in the Netherlands is formed %y
twelve provinces. 'rovinces are responsi%le for spatial
planning, health policy and recreation, within the %ounds
prescri%ed %y the national government. 4urthermore they
oversee the policy and finances of municipalities and water
%oards. The executive power is in hands of the =ing's
)ommissioner and the )ollege of the !edeputeerde Staten.
The =ing's )ommissioner is appointed %y the national )a%inet
and responsi%le to the ,inister of the 1nterior and =ingdom
?elations. ,em%ers of the !edeputeerde Staten are
appointed %y, and responsi%le to the provincial legislature,
the States 'rovincial, which is elected %y direct suffrage.
$ocal government in the Netherlands is formed %y 6:;
municipalities. ,unicipalities are responsi%le
for education, spatial planning and social security, within the
%ounds prescri%ed %y the national and provincial government.
They are governed %y the )ollege of ,ayor and (ldermen.
The ,ayor is appointed %y the national )a%inet and
responsi%le to the ,inister of the 1nterior and =ingdom
?elations. The (ldermen are appointed %y, and responsi%le to
the ,unicipal )ouncil, which is elected %y direct suffrage.
$ocal government on the )ari%%ean Netherlands is formed %y
three pu%lic %odies sometimes called special
municipalities who do not fall within a province. They are
governed %y a $ieutenant5general *utchDgezaghebber" and
/eilandgedeputeerden/ which are responsi%le to the island
council, which is elected %y direct suffrage. Their activities are
similar %ut wider than to municipalities.
The ma.or cities of (msterdam and ?otterdam are
su%divided into administrative areas stadsdelen", which have
their own limited" responsi%ilities.
4urthermore there are water %oards which are
responsi%le for the country's polders, di0es and
other waterwor0s. These %odies are elected in non5partisan
elections and have the power to tax their residents.