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There are several terms used in Dutch Politics which are not easily translated into English . Many of these terms are also used in Belgian Politics . Most of the terms are alien to the Anglophone world because they coincide with a system of Proportional Representation and Coalition Government . Where possible, a translation is given. The links in the explanations are to the corresponding entries in this list, where applicable. These links are marked with 'single quotes'. Afspiegelingscollege ''Mirror college''. A version of the municipal executive (' College Van Burgemeesters En Wethouders ') representing all parties represented in the municipal legislative (' Gemeenteraad '). Most municipal executives in rural areas are afspiegelingscolleges. The current executive of Schagen for example includes all three major parties, including the social-democratic PvdA , the christian-democratic CDA and the locally based Duurzaam Schagen. Contrast with ' Programcollege '. Antithese Conflict between christian-democratic, ' Confessionele ' parties, united in the ' Coalitie ' and liberal parties, united in the ' Concentratie ' between 1888 and 1918. Literally antithese means Antithesis . The conflict concerned the ' Equalization Of Payment For Religious Schools ' and Universal Suffrage . To realize both issues a constitutional revision was necessary, which needs the support two-thirds of both houses of parliament. Both political parties held about fifty percent of the MPs however. The issue was forced by ARP -leader Abraham Kuyper , who hoped that an alliance of catholics and protestants would gain the necessary number of seats, this strategy failed. In 1918 the issue was finally resolved in the ' Pacificatie Van 1918 '. Beginselpartij ''Testimonial party''. A party that focuses on its general principals, instead of adapting them to local or temporal issues in the pursuit of coalition participation. Examples of parties that have referred to themselves as "testimonial" include the orthodox protestant ChristenUnie and the SGP . Contrast with ' Programpartij '. Burgemeester ''Mayor''. Leader of the municipal executive (' College Van Burgemeester En Wethouders '). In the Netherlands, burgermeesters are ''de facto'' appointed by the national Cabinet , ''de jure'' by the queen. They preside both the municipal executive and the legislative (' Gemeenteraad '). The title is sometimes translated as Burgomaster , to emphasize the appointed, rather than elected, nature of the office. College van Burgemeester en Wethouders ''Local executive''. Abbreviated as College van B&W. The local executive is composed of the cabinet-appointed mayor (' Burgemeester ') and locally appointed aldermen (' Wethouders '). Coalitie See " #Confessioneel " Concentratie An alliance of liberal parties. Literally concentration. In the ' Antithese ' the liberals united in the ''concentratie''. Main issue for the liberal parties was the implementation of Universal Suffrage Confessioneel ''Religious'', usually Christian Democratic . The Protestant ARP and the CHU and the Catholic General League / RKSP / KVP were the three major ''confessionele'' parties in the Netherlands. Between 1888 and 1918 this alliance was known as the Coalition (Coalitie). The Coalition was opposed to the liberal ' Concentration ' in the so-called ' Anti-these '. Between 1918 and 1939 the confessional parties continuously were in government. Before 1918 they also formed government, but were often replaced after the elections by liberals. Since 1946 the confessional parties have always been forced to cooperate with either liberals or social-democrats. In 1974 the three confessional parties formed the christian-democratic CDA . Main issue for the ''confessionele'' parties is the ' Equalization Of Payment Of Religious Schools '. Deelraad See ' Stadsdeelraad '. Demissionair Kabinet A special type of Caretaker Government . Between an election or the fall of a cabinet and the appointment of a new one, the incumbent cabinet remains remains in place, limiting itself to urgent and pressing matters and traditionally not taking any controversial decisions. This is not a desirable situation. However, the formation of a cabinet is sometimes said to be more important than the elections themselves (because that is when the ' Regeerakkoord ' is formed). An example of a very long-lasting caretaker government was the Cabinet Den Uyl between 22 March and 18 December, 1977 , during the formation of the cabinet Van Agt-I . Doorbraak ''Breakthrough''. After the Second World War there was wide spread feeling that the Pillarized politics was to be broken open. In order to force this breakthrough the socialist SDAP , the left-liberal VDB and the christian-socialist CDU united to form the PvdA . They however did not gain enough support and the PvdA became encapsulated in the socialist pillar. In 1966 social-liberal D66 attempted another breakthrough of the political system, again unsuccessful. Dualisme ''Political dualism''. The Separation Of Powers between the Dutch Cabinet and Parliament . In this respect, the way the Dutch cabinets function is somewhere in between the USA and UK systems of government. Unlike the US system, the legislative consists of the cabinet together with the parliament and cabinets are formed on basis of a majority in parliament. Unlike the UK system, cabinet ministers can not be members of parliament. An important political issue is whether ministers and leaders of governing parliamentary parties should pre-cook important political decisions. According to the dualistic position, members of parliament of governing parties should function independent of their cabinet. Contrast with ' Monisme '. Eenmansfractie Parliamentary party, ' Fractie ', formed by only one person. Sometimes parties obtain only enough votes to get one seat under proportional representation. In 1994 Bertus Leerkes was elected member of parliament as only member for the Unie 55+ . More often members of parliament leave their own party to continue as ''independents'' or eenmansfracties. Currently there are three such parties in parliament. The Group Lazrak of former SP -member of parliament Ali Lazrak , who left over an internal financial conflict, the Group Wilders of former VVD -member Geert Wilders , who left after a conflict over migration, and the Group Nawijn of former LPF -member Hilbrand Nawijn , who left after a series of personal and organizational conflicts within the LPF. Extra-parlementair kabinet A cabinet not based on a parliamentary majority. The last extra-parliamentary cabinet was the Cabinet Den Uyl . It consisted of members of the three progressive parties (the social-democratic PvdA , the social-liberal D66 , and the progressive-christian PPR ) and progressive members from the christian-democratic ARP and KVP . Contrast with ' Parlementair Kabinet '. Formateur Politician who leads the formal talks that lead to the formation of a Cabinet , often the leader of the largest party. Often the formateur presides the talks about the Minister ial positions that are held between the parties that have already written a communal program, the ' Regeerakkoord '. The formateur's work is preceded by the ' Informateur '. Neither of these positions is described in any law, instead they are part of Dutch political tradition. The formateur is appointed by the Monarch . As the leader of the largest party, the formateur usually becomes Prime Minister . Jan Peter Balkenende was the formateur of the Balkenende-II Cabinet . Formatie The formation of a cabinet after elections, when political parties try to form a coalition (with a parliamentary majority) with a mutual ' Regeerakkoord ', laying down the basic goals of the next government period. During a formation parties have to barter, letting go of some goals to achieve others. Which respective goals these are depends on the coalition partners. For this reason the formation is often considered more important than the elections themselves, which is by some seen as undemocratic. For this reason parties sometimes proclaim a coalition before the actual elections, in which a group of parties promises to form a coalition if they get a majority. This should give voters more clarity as to what exactly they vote for. However, if a majority is not reached, this can complicate matters because parties have effectively spoken out against other coalitions. Fractie Parliamentary party. The Dutch parliament consists out of multiple ''fracties''. These are chaired by a Fractievoorzitter . Fractievoorzitter Chairperson of a parliamentary party. After the election most Lijsttrekker s become ''fractievoorzitter'' of their parliamentary party. Often the ''fractievoorzitter'' is the most influential politician of the party, and he is often appears on television. As an example, Andre Rouvoet is the current ''fractievoorzitter'' of the Christian Union . Gedeputeerde Staten (GS) Provincial executive. The provincial executive consists of the cabinet appointed Queen's Commissioner and the provincially appointed Gedeputeerde Staten. Due to ' Dualisme ', Gedeputeerde Staten can not be member of the provincial legislative (' Provinciale Staten '). Gedogen A policy of 'toleration', not enforcing certain laws. The Dutch government tolerates some offences. Some things like smoking Marijuana are formally forbidden by law, but the Dutch government abstains from bringing criminal charges to these offenders. Often these policies are brought about by atension between treaty obligations and domestic politics. See policies on Marijuana and Euthanasia for more information. Gemeenteraad Municipal council. The "gemeenteraad" is the legislative assembly of a "gemeente". Getuigenispartij See ' Beginselpartij '. Informateur Politician who researches the possible coalition options before a new cabinet is formed, often a veteran politician, member of the Eerste Kamer or Raad Van State . Often the informateur presides talks with possible coalition partners, leading to a communal program, the ' Regeerakkoord '. The informateur is succeded by a ' Formateur '. Neither of these positions is described in any law, instead they are part of Dutch political tradition. The informateur is appointed by the Monarch , to whom he reports back. Sometimes, after the formation of a cabinet, the informateur becomes a minister. Piet Hein Donner was the informateur of the Balkenende-I Cabinet . Lijstduwer A well known non-politician who is officially a candidate for parliament, but put at the end of the Party List , merely to endorse the party, in order for it to receive more votes. The candidate is not likely to become member of parliament, nor does he want to. In 2003 writer Harry Mulisch was lijstduwer for the Party For The Animals . Lijsttrekker Top candidate of a party and the first person on the Party List . After the election this person usually functions as party leader, either as leader of the Parliamentary Party , as Minister or as Minister-president . During the election campaign these persons attract the most attention, for example in lijsttrekker-debates, where the lijsttrekkers debate important issues with other lijsttrekkers on television. For example in the 2003 Elections , Wouter Bos was lijsttrekker for the social-democratic PvdA ; the miraculous recovery of the PvdA is often credited to his personality. If, however, the party is unsuccessful in the elections, the lijsttrekker will often resign his post or leave politics entirely. This for instance happened to Thom De Graaf , who instead of gaining seats as expected, lost a seat in the Dutch General Election Of 2003 . Lijstverbinding Electoral alliance between two or more parties. In a system of Proportional Representation not all seats are immediately divided, some seats remain undivided Remainder Seats . In the Netherlands these are allocated by the D'Hondt Method . This method strongly favours larger parties (often smaller parties get no remainder seats, whereas the three largest parties get two each). But if smaller parties form an alliance their votes are added up for the distribution of seats, so this increases their chances of getting one. Often these two parties are ideological related, in the 2003 General Elections for example the socialist SP and the green GroenLinks formed a lijstverbinding. In the 2004 European Elections the social-democratic PvdA and GroenLinks formed a lijstverbinding. Minister van Staat Honorary title given to former politicians by the Queen . There are currently eight ministers of state in the Netherlands, including former minister of foreign affairs and D66 -founder Hans Van Mierlo . Monisme ''Political monism''. A state of lack of Separation Of Powers between the Dutch cabinet and parliament. The way the Dutch cabinets function is somewhere in between the USA and UK systems of government. Unlike the US system, the cabinet forms the legislative together with the parliament and cabinets are formed on basis of a majority in parliament. Unlike the UK system, cabinet ministers can not be member of parliament. An important political issue is whether ministers and leaders of governing parliamentary parties should pre-cook important political decisions. According to the monistic position, members of parliament of governing parties should be able to prepare important decision with ministers in order to promote political stability. This should be contrasted with ' Dualisme '. Ministerraad ''Council of ministers''. This term should be contrasted with Cabinet , which also includes the ' Staatssecretarissen ', and government, which further includes the Monarch . Pacificatie van 1918 The resolution of the ' Antithesis 'conflict in 1918 by the ' Extra-parlementary Cabinet ' led by Cort Van Linden . They implemented both Universal Suffrage , Proportional Representation and ' Equal Payment For Religious Schools '. Parlementair kabinet A cabinet based on parliamentary majority. Most Dutch cabinets are based on majority in parliament. Exceptions to this rule are called ' Extra-parlemantaire Kabinetten '. Since a parlementair kabinet is the normal state of affairs, the term is only used in contrast with extra-parlementair kabinets. Prinsjesdag The day of the speaks the speech from the throne in the Ridderzaal and the minister of finance proposes the next year's budget to parliament. Parliament officially starts a new year on Prinsjesdag. Prinsjesdag is held every third Tuesday in September . This one of the most traditional events in Dutch politics, involving the royal family's ride around The Hague in a gilded carriage, a meeting with all members of both houses of the Staten General , and cabinet in the Ridderzaal, and a final balcony scene where the royal family waves to the gathered monarchists. On this occasion male MPs wear their most Formal Dress , while female MPs try to out do each other with extravagant Hat s. Programcollege A municipal executive (' College Van Burgemeester En Wethouders ') based on a clear political program and a majority in the municipal legislative (' Gemeenteraad '). Most executives in urban areas are programcolleges. These executives often include two or more parties with ideological links. The local executive of Rotterdam in the years 2002 until 2006 for example included the christian-democratic CDA , the liberal VVD and the locally based Leefbaar Rotterdam . The social-democratic PvdA , the second largest party of Rotterdam, was kept out of the executive because of ideological conflicts with Leefbaar Rotterdam. The same happened in City Of Groningen) , where a left wing executive was appointed on 26th of April, 2006. It consists of the PvdA , the socialist SP and the green Groenlinks . Contrast with ' Afspiegelingscollege '. Programpartij A party explicitly seeking government participation in order to execute its program. Most Dutch parties seek government participation. Exceptions to this rule are called ' Beginselpartijen '. The term programpartij is only used in contrast with this. Provinciale Staten (PS) ''Provincial council'', provincial legislative assembly. Regeerakkoord ''Coalition agreement''. A Dutch cabinet subjects itself to a regeerakkoord, in which the most important goals and objectives of the cabinet are written down by the leaders of the parliamentary parties and the ' Informateur '. The regeerakkoord of the Balkenende-II Cabinet is called "Meer Werk, Meedoen, Minder Regels" ("More Work, Participation, Less Rules"), emphasizing the three goals of the cabinet: revitalization of the economy, integration of ethnic minorities and institutional reform. Schoolstrijd Historical conflict over the equalisation of public financing for Religious School s. Protestant and Catholic parties, the ARP and CHU and the Algemeene Bond respectively, wanted their religious schools to receive financing equal to that received by public schools. Liberals protected the priviliged position of public shcools. The conflict lasted from 1888 to 1918, when it was resolved in the ' Pacificatie '. Staatssecretaris ''Deputy minister'' or ''vice-minister''. Staatssecretarissen are members of cabinet, who work under a Minister . They fall under the responsibility of the minister, but are separately responsible to parliament. They take over part of the minister's portfolio. Some staatssecretarissen have clearly defined portfolios like culture, science or the environment, while others' portfolios overlap with their minister's. Staatssecretarissen almost always have a different political affiliation than their minister. Staatssecretarissen do not attend the weekly Ministerraad unless asked to do so. Some staatssecretarissen have impressive political careers after their staatssecretariaat while others disappear into oblivion. An example of a successful staatssecretraris is current European Commission er of Competition Neelie Kroes . She was staatssecretaris of Transport, Public Works and Watermanagement between 1977 and 1981, minister of Transport, Public Works and Watermanagement between 1982 and 1989 and since 2004 serves as the Dutch European Commissioner. Stadsdeel ''Ward''. The major municipalities Amsterdam and Rotterdam are subdivided into stadsdelen. The stadsdelen have their own executive (' Stadsdeelwethouders ') and legislative (' Stadsdeelraad '). Stadsdeelraad ''Ward Council''. Legislative of a ' Stadsdeel '. Stadsdeelwethouder ''Ward Alderman''. Member of the executive of a ' Stadsdeel '. The term is hardly used. Instead Stadsdeelwethouders are simply called ' Wethouder s'. Stadsdeelvoorzitter ''Ward Chairman''. Head of the executive of a ' Stadsdeel '. Wethouder ''Alderman''. Together with the mayor (' Burgemeester ') the wethouders form the local executive (' College Van Burgemeesters En Wethouders '). Wethouders cannot be members of the local legislative (' Gemeenteraad '). They are appointed by the local legislative. |
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