Quote:
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.