The Netherlands

Jan Herman Reestman, Monica Claes

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

The Netherlands’ constitutional system is based mainly on the Constitution (Grondwet), which dates back to 1814, but was revised many times. The latest major revision was in 1983 when the entire text and structure of the document were modernised, and a catalogue of fundamental rights was inserted as Chapter I. The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, in which the King plays a merely ceremonial role, with a parliamentary form of government. The parliament (the States-General – Staten Generaal) consists of two houses, the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) and the Upper House (Eerste Kamer), the government of King and ministers. Governmental stability is rather high, but there are considerable fluctuations between periods. The Lower House is politically the most important of the two Houses. The Upper House is indirectly elected, via the provinces, but is not regarded as a provincial representation at the national level and functions instead as a chambre de réflexion. It has no right of initiative, and no right of amendment....
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEMU Integration and Member States’ Constitutions
EditorsStefan Griller, Elisabeth Lentsch
Place of PublicationOxford
PublisherHart Publihsing
Pages489-522
Number of pages34
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-50993-580-2 , 978-1-50993-579-6, 978-1-50993-581-9
ISBN (Print)978-1-50993-578-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

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