Many people don’t know what this exactly means. The Provincial Council forms the General Government of the province; directly affect you and your living environment. They control the Provincial Executive, the daily administration of the province and determine the broad outlines of what policy will be pursued. The Provincial Council also elects the Senate. It is therefore possible to influence national politics through the Provincial Council elections. The members of the Provincial Council are directly elected once every four years. The Provincial Council forms the general government of the Province. They control the Provincial Executive, the daily administration of the province, and determine the broad outlines of what policy will be pursued. In addition, the Provincial Council elects the Senate. In other words: by voting for the Provincial Council, you can influence national politics.
- Provincial states
- Provincial Executive
- The Queen’s commissioner
- Provincial Council: tasks?
- Senate: how and what?
Provincial states
During the elections you choose the people’s representatives. At a national level, these are the members of the House of Representatives. The representation of the people in the Provinces is called the Provincial Council. Elections are held once every four years and you choose the members of the Provincial Council. The Queen’s Commissioner (who is appointed by the Queen and the ministers jointly) is chairman of both the Provincial Council and the Provincial Executive.
Provincial Executive
The Provincial Council elects a maximum of nine deputies for a period of four years. These Provincial Executives, together with the Queen’s Commissioner, form the daily administration of the province. (Deputies have not been members of the Provincial Council since 2003.)
Deputies are each responsible for a specific policy area, such as spatial planning. Provincial Executives are charged, among other things, with the preparation and implementation of decisions of the Provincial Council, with co-administration (i.e. implementing central government regulations) and supervision of municipal authorities. The Provincial Executives are accountable to the Provincial Council.
The Queen’s commissioner
The Queen’s Commissioner is chairman of both the Provincial Council and the Provincial Executive. Just like the deputies, the Queen’s Commissioner can be assigned certain tasks. The Queen’s Commissioner also acts as a representative of the Dutch government.
Provincial Council: tasks?
The Netherlands has twelve provinces. The provinces perform, among other things, tasks in the field of spatial planning (establishing regional plans for the destination of the land, and assessing whether municipal zoning plans do not conflict with the provincial regional plans). The Provincial Council forms the government of the province. Most decisions made by the Provincial Council have a direct impact on you and your living environment.
The Provincial Council determines the broad outlines
- how the province is organized
- where homes and business parks are being built
- where you can enjoy nature.
The Provincial Council determines the course in areas such as:
- Youth care, welfare and culture
- Environmental policy; nature, environment water and landscape
- Water management; supervision of water boards
- Culture and economic development; (particularly financial) supervision of municipalities
- Traffic and transport (cycling routes, roads and regional bus connections)
The Provincial Council elects the members of the Senate
In addition to the House of Representatives, the Senate is also part of the parliament. The members of the Senate are indirectly elected. Indirectly, because they are elected by members of the Provincial Council, who are elected directly, namely by you.
Senate: how and what?
The Senate has 75 members, half the number of members of the House of Representatives. The Senate, together with the House of Representatives, forms parliament. The government and parliament make laws in the Netherlands. In practice, ministers usually make bills, but members of the House of Representatives can also make laws (initiative law). The members of the Senate are not allowed to do that. The House of Representatives may also change (amend) a bill before adopting it. The Senate cannot do that. It can only approve or reject a proposal. Furthermore, members of the Senate, just like members of the House of Representatives, can ask questions to the government or adopt motions.