Dutch Politics

Question 1

The current prime minister.

Answer 1

Mark Rutte

Question 2

The current prime minister is a member of what political party?

Answer 2

People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)

Question 3

The previous Dutch government was led by a coalition that can be described using this color.

Answer 3

“Purple,” which indicates a government led by both social democrats (red) and liberals (blue)

Question 4

The Dutch government is currently in a diplomatic spat with what country / leader?

Answer 4

Turkey / Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Question 5

What is the Dutch government’s current diplomatic spat about?

Answer 5

The Netherlands denied Turkish officials the ability to campaign to Turkish expats about a referendum that would expand Erdogan’s presidential powers.

Question 6

The Dutch constitution does not apply to the country’s non-European territories. What are they?

Answer 6

• Aruba
• Curaçao
• Sint Maarten (Southern half of St. Martin)
• Carribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustasius, Saba)

Question 7

The Dutch judicial system lacks this feature, preventing it from being able to review laws for their validity.

Answer 7

Constitutional Court

Question 8

What are the four major components of Dutch government?

Answer 8

• Monarchy
• States General (parliament)
• Cabinet
• Judicial System

Question 9

This unfortunate term is given to governmental bodies that oversee the Netherlands’ polders, dikes and other waterworks.

Answer 9

Waterboards

Question 10

Who is the current Dutch monarch?

Answer 10

Willem-Alexander

Question 11

The current Dutch monarch held this title before ascending to the throne.

Answer 11

Prince of Orange

Question 12

The Dutch Supreme Court holds highest judicial authority over issues of civil and criminal law. This advisory body, however, holds the same role over administrative law.

Answer 12

Raad van State (“Council of State”), which is chaired by the monarch

Question 13

From 1815-1890, the Dutch monarch served as the Grand Duke for this then duchy.

Answer 13

Luxembourg

Question 14

This Dutch political figure is now for his anti-Islam views and for being the leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV).

Answer 14

Geert Wilders

Question 15

This Dutch political party is often considered to be a “one-issue party,” but they claim they are not.

Answer 15

Party for the Animals

Question 16

This U.S. representative tweeted his support for the leading Dutch nationalist, anti-Islam figure.

Answer 16

Rep. Steve King (IA)

Question 17

From the late 1800s through pre-WWII, Dutch society separated itself into three ideological spheres (Protestants, Roman Catholics, Socialists). This process is commonly referred to as…

Answer 17

Pillarization

Question 18

This far-right, nationalist Dutch politician was assassinated in 2002 during national elections.

Answer 18

Pim Fortuyn

Question 19

This term was coined to describe the decline of the Dutch manufacturing sector after the discovery of and gains from natural gas fields. It is now used to describe similar situations in other countries.

Answer 19

“Dutch Disease”

Question 20

The Dutch Ministry of Justice applies this, a list of guidelines that instruct prosecutors when NOT to prosecute potential drug offenders.

Answer 20

Gedoogbeleid (“Tolerance Policy”)

Question 21

The current Dutch king is the first in over a century, ending three generations’ worth of female rule. He ascended to the throne after the abdication of whom?

Answer 21

Queen Beatrix

She was preceded by Juliana and Wilhelmina

Question 22

This Somali-born, former Dutch politician was voted by Time as one of the most influential people in the world in 2005. She is an outspoken opponent of female genital mutilation.

Answer 22

Ayyan Hirsi Ali

Question 23

This former Dutch prime minister was praised for his centrism and forming a famous color-based coalition.

Answer 23

Wim Kok (1994-2002)