Niederlande - Regierung - Profil - 2001

Hauptstadt

Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government

Unabhängigkeit

1579 (from Spain)

Nationalfeiertag

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April

Konstitution

adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 Februar 1983

Wahlrecht

18 Jahre; universal

Exekutive

Staatsoberhaupt: Queen BEATRIX (seit dem 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch

Regierungschef: Prime Minister Wim KOK (seit dem 22 August 1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Annemarie JORRITSMA (seit dem 3 August 1998) and Els BORST-EILERS (seit dem 3 August 1998)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch

note: government coalition - PvdA, VVD, and D'66; there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors consulted by the executive on legislative and administrative policy