Parliamentary democracy - Elections

Question 1

Actively enfranchised

Answer 1

Having the right to vote

Question 2

Passively enfranchised

Answer 2

Having the right to put yourself up for election

Question 3

Proportional representation

Answer 3

The votes are distributed among the available numer of seats.

Question 4

Quota

Answer 4

The number of votes you need to win one seat.

Question 5

Election threshold

Answer 5

A party needs to win a minimum percentage of votes in order to be allowed to take part in the distribution of votes

Question 6

District system

Answer 6

System in which each district can only send one representative to parliament: the candidate who has won the majorty of the votes in the district

Question 7

Spin doctor

Answer 7

A communications expert who advises the party and party leader for the party’s election campaign

Question 8

TV and internet democracy

Answer 8

The old and new media play a significant role during election campaigns

Question 9

Voting strategically

Answer 9

Voting for e.g. the CDA instead of the SGp, in the hope they will become the largest party and play a crucial role in the formation of the cabinet

Question 10

Preference votes

Answer 10

Votes for one particular person of the party you are voting for. Candidates, who are not very high on the list, can in this way atill win a seat in parliament

Question 11

Formation of cabinet

Answer 11

The ministers and secretaris of state are found to execute the plans made

Question 12

Coalition

Answer 12

A combination of different parties who work together at administrative level

Question 13

Informateur

Answer 13

Person that is tasked with investigating which parties are willing to work together to form a government - one that will have the support of a majority in the Scond Chamber.

Question 14

Coalition agreements

Answer 14

The agreements made by the coaslition on the broad outlines of their future policy

Question 15

Formateur

Answer 15

Person tasked with appointing the members of cabinet

Question 16

Monarch’s speech

Answer 16

The speech given by the monarch at the beginning of the parliamentary year on Prinsjesdag. It includes the coalition agreement.

Question 17

Budget

Answer 17

Document in which the definite plans of teh government and the amount of money available are made public

Question 18

General Debate

Answer 18

When the budget is being debated on by the Second Chamber.

Question 19

Interim budget report

Answer 19

A report in which the government gives an account of whether or not the financial policy it laid down in the national budget, has been successful.

Question 20

Motion of no confidence

Answer 20

Motion that can be introduced by the Second Chamber if it rejects the policies of one particular minister.

Question 21

Outgoing cabinet

Answer 21

When the whole cabinet resigns and early elections are called. The ex-ministers will continue in their function until there is a new cabinet.