Hi! My name is Joris,

and I’m going to tell you all about the Dutch government.

Queen Beatrix is the Dutch head of state, but this doesn’t mean that she rules the country by herself. Decisions are made by the government – the Queen and the ministers together.

The parliament, with members chosen by the people, keeps an eye on the government. Every four years there are elections in which the Dutch choose the people who will represent them in parliament. The Netherlands is therefore known as a parliamentary democracy.

I will be allowed to vote when I am 18. When my parents go to vote, they can choose between many different political parties. The party that gets the most votes is allowed to form the government. The government is usually made up of two or three different parties. This is known as a coalition government. The largest party is allowed to choose the prime minister.