How a Jetten minority cabinet could work: lessons from Denmark
In the media image: Martijn Vonk on Unsplash
The Hague can learn from Denmark, where minority governments function more stably through cooperation and an engaged opposition. Corné Smit, guest lecturer in constitutional and administrative law, discusses implications for the Netherlands in 'De Hofvijver' of the Montesquieu Institute.
In his analysis, Corné Smit highlights what politicians in the Netherlands can learn from Danish practice now that the new Jetten cabinet lacks a parliamentary majority. In Denmark, minority cabinets are the norm, with opposition parties often contributing ideas and cooperating on policy. Clear bloc politics allow opposition factions to choose collaboration over confrontation, creating a calmer and more predictable political climate.
A second important lesson from Denmark is the involvement of opposition parties in policy through so-called 'forlig': multi-year agreements on important policy themes. As a result, an opposition party effectively co-determines policy and gets a say that is almost equivalent to coalition partnership. According to Smit, this model can help the Dutch minority cabinet to remain workable and stable.
More information?
Read the full analysis in De Hofvijver of the Montesquieu Institute (in Dutch)