The Netherlands has developed a parliamentary representative democracy and constitutional monarchy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Political System

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is considered to be a combination of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy, and a decentralized unitary state, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Amsterdam.

Some provinces initially declared their independence from Spain on January 23, 1579. Other provinces concluded the Union of Utrecht by breaking from Spain, and together, declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration on July 26, 1581. Spain formally recognized this independence on January 30, 1648 The national holiday is Queen’s Day, celebrated on April 30.

The Netherland’s current constitution was originally adopted in 1815. The constitution has been amended many times, most recently in 2002. The document allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of 12 provinces (provincies):

• Drenthe
• Flevoland
• Friesland (Fryslan)
• Gelderland
• Groningen
• Limburg
• Noord-Brabant (North Brabant)
• Noord-Holland (North Holland)
• Overijssel
• Utrecht
• Zeeland
• Zuid-Holland (South Holland)

Executive Branch

Queen Beatrix is the Netherland’s chief of state, assuming the position on April 30, 1980. The queen’s heir apparent is her son, Prince of Orange Willem-Alexander, born on April 27, 1967.

The head of government is the Prime Minister. This person is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition, appointed by the monarch following Second Chamber elections. Jan Peter Balkenende, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on July 22, 2002, and has two Deputy Prime Ministers, also appointed by the monarch: Wouter Bos and Andre Rouvoet.

The Council of Ministers is the governmental cabinet. Cabinet ministers are typically selected from several political parties through a complex process. The current ministers are:

• Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality - Gerda Verburg
• Defense - Eimert van Middelkoop
• Development Cooperation - Bert Koenders
• Economic Affairs - Maria van der Hoeven
• Education, Culture and Science - Ronald Plasterk
• Environment and Spatial Planning - Jacqueline Cramer
• European Affairs - Frans Timmermans
• Finance - Wouter Bos
• Foreign Affairs - Maxime Verhagen
• Foreign Trade - Frank Heemskerk
• Health, Welfare and Sport - Ab Klink
• Housing, Communities and Integration - Ella Vogelaar
• Interior and Kingdom Relations - Guusje ter Horst
• Justice - Ernst Hirsch Ballin
• Social Affairs and Employment - Piet Hein Donner
• Transport, Public Works and Water Management - Camiel Eurlings
• Youth and Families - Andre Rouvoet

Legislative Branch

The Dutch Parliament (States General) is a bicameral body consisting of the 75-seat First Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and the 150-seat Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer). Members of the First Chamber are indirectly elected by the country’s 12 provincial councils to serve four year terms. Second Chamber members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four year terms.

The current structure of the First Chamber, by political party is (number of seats):

• Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) - 23
• Labor Party (PvdA) - 19
• People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) - 15
• Green Left Party - 5
• Socialist Party - 4
• Democrats 66 (D66) - 3
• Other - 6

The current structure of the Second Chamber, by political party is (number of seats):

• Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) - 41
• Labor Party (PvdA) - 33
• Socialist Party - 25
• People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) - 22
• Party for Freedom - 9
• Green Party - 7
• Christian Union - 6
• Other - 7

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad). Justices are nominated for life by the monarch.

Legal System

The Dutch legal system is based on civil law incorporating French penal theory. The constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General. The country has accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction with reservations.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

Government.nl - Netherlands Government Official Website.