Dutch Budget, Constitutional Matters, Role in Society and Other Issues

[Marengo]

Well, today there is a new political situation. Hero Brinkman left the PVV party and with that the government coalition lost its -shaky- majority. They will need to fall back on the orthodox christian party for support, which means that that party can demand things in return. And the party is against any change in the role of the monarch. It will be interesting to see how things will develop, new elections hopefully (though not likely).

[royalistbert]

I know nothing of situation in the Netherlands. I'm guessing the queen gets to keep her powers because no one can come to an agreement.

[James VI]

On matters of constitutional right and political principle, it would appear that Queen Beatrix, like Queen Elizabeth, is the better of any man....

[Somebody]

In an interview today (article in Dutch) looking back at the longest government formation process ever in the Netherlands, the current and future prime minister looked back at the process and stated that it wasn't helpful that the Sovereign has been removed from the formation process since 2012. In his opinion, the process wouldn't have taken this long with the king at the helm.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Somebody

In an interview today (article in Dutch) looking back at the longest government formation process ever in the Netherlands, the current and future prime minister looked back at the process and stated that it wasn't helpful that the Sovereign has been removed from the formation process since 2012. In his opinion, the process wouldn't have taken this long with the king at the helm.

I am not sure how King Willem-Alexander would have hurried the formation. But then at least someone "owns" the process and as head of state he can urge politicians.

It would also help the King to get some stature because the formation of a new Cabinet was the only act in which we still saw some real meaning of the kingship. For the rest it is 99% ceremonial and protocol, making that the German Bundespräsident or the Italian President has more constitutional weight than the King.

Since the Second Chamber appoints the formateurs, no one owns the process as it are three or four parties together who have to agree and that is not easy: it drags on and on as the parties are playing chess with each other.

[Somebody]

The pm agrees as he explained the difference wouldn't have been months but in his eyes it would have helped to have that independent process manager (my words, not his) instead of the politicians themselves trying to organize themselves (while having lots of personal/political interests).