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Political System
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The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy and has a Monarchy. Head of State The Queen Beatrix van Oranje Nassau has ruled since 1980. The Queen's function is largely ceremonial, but she does have some influence deriving from the traditional veneration of the House of Orange, from which Dutch Monarchs have been chosen for more than three centuries. The Queen closely follows government affairs and maintains regular contact with ministers, State Secretaries and the Vice-President of the Council of State. She meets the Prime Minister every Monday and regularly receives Members of Parliament, as well as other authorities, on social issues. Government Jan Peter Balkenende CDA has been Prime Minister since 2002. The government is formed since July, 7, 2006 by the CDA, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Democrats 66. The Council of Ministers plans and implements government policy. The government consists of the sovereign and cabinet ministers. The Queen is closely involved in the formation of new governments as she appoints one or more senior political figures (informateurs) to investigate the forming of the new government with adequate support in the Lower House as quickly as possible. The informateur consults the leaders of the parliamentary parties in order to determine which of them could form a coalition government. The Prime Minister is usually from the largest party in the governing coalition, although this is not strictly obligatory. He presides over the cabinet and is also Minister of General Affairs. He is accountable for the actions of members of the Royal House. He also plays an active part in international affairs. There is also a Council of State composed of the Monarch, Heir Apparent, and councillors which provides consultations with the Prime Minister on legislative and administrative policy. The Council of State must be consulted by the cabinet on proposed legislation before a law is submitted to the parliament. Legislature 
The "Staten-Generaal" (Parliament) has two chambers. The "Eerste Kamer" (First Chamber) has 75 members, elected for a four-year term by provincial councillors on the basis of the proportional representation at the provincial elections. Yvonne Timmerman-Buck (CDA) is Chairman of the First Chamber. The "Tweede Kamer" (Second Chamber: House of Representatives) has 150 members, elected for a four-year term by proportional representation.
The main tasks of the House of Representatives is to control the government. In a conflict between the government and the House of Representatives, the House has the last word. The House of Representatives enacts legislation and amends existing legislation in order to change circumstances with the government and the Senate. To fulfil these tasks, the House has a number of rights: the right to approve the budget, the right to ask questions, the right of interpolation, the right to submit motions, the right to institute an inquiry, the right of amendment and the right of initiative. The Senate's main duties are in the legislative field, but it also plays a role in scrutinising the government's actions. Formally, the Senate can only reject or accept legislation. In practice, however, it does more. Statements made by government ministers in debates on bills (draft legislation) can play a role in future lawsuits. The debates in the Senate contribute to the interpretation of a law. Moreover, members of the Senate can elicit undertakings from ministers about the implementation of a law. Government elections The last round of Second Chamber and Senate elections took place in January 2003.  Government of Jan-Peter Balkenende
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