Minority government unlikely option in the Netherlands
In the media image: Ruddy Media on Unsplash
A minority government in the Netherlands is rare. Corné Smit, guest lecturer in constitutional and administrative law recently obtained his doctorate on the topic. On Dutch NPO Radio 1, he says this is due to the deep-rooted tradition of majority cabinets.
According to Smit, the Netherlands has had almost only majority cabinets since the Second World War. 'It’s a tradition that’s been going on for around 80 years, since the end of the Second World War.' He adds that the only real minority cabinet – the 1939 ColijnV cabinet – was not successful and only lasted a few days.
Smit points out the advantages of a minority cabinet: it can be more flexible in terms of policy, and parties have the opportunity to partly agree and partly oppose. This means that results can be achieved faster and parties are better able to maintain their profile. One drawback of a minority cabinet is that when it comes to unpopular decisions, the responsibility is unclear.
Smit believes that there is little chance of a minority government being formed.' The tradition of majority governments is so deeply ingrained that many frantic attempts will be made to arrive at a majority cabinet.' Only if certain blockades persist during the formation talks, would a minority government be considered as a possibility.
More information?
Listen to the NPO Radio 1 interview (in Dutch)