Politics
Government
The Dutch government consists of the queen and a cabinet of ministers of the Crown. Because the Netherlands has a multi-party system, the government always consists of a coalition of two or more parties. The chance that one party gains the majority during elections is very small. Every four years, elections are being held for a new government.
Since october 14, 2010, the Netherlands has a new government, which is a coalition of the liberal party VVD, which is now the largest party, and the christian party CDA. Because these two parties did not gain the majority of seats in parliament, they reached an agreement with the right-wing party PVV. This party does not take place in the cabinet, and will not provide ministers, but they have agreed to support the government in decisions and measures that they will take, so as to form a majority when voting needs to take place.
As an unwritten rule, the largest party delivers the prime minister, which is now Mark Rutte of the VVD.
Parliament
All Dutch nationals aged 18 or older are allowed to vote and stand in elections for the House of Representatives. Parliament, known as the States General, consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer), with 150 members and the Senate (Eerste Kamer), with 75 members, elected by the provincial councils.
Parliament controls the government and draws up proposals to change or amend the law.