Parliamentary democracy - Government and Parliament Flashcards
Cabinet
The ministers and secretaries of state
Government
The king and ministers
Prime Minister
The chairman of the Council of Ministers that keeps the king up to date every week on policy
Minister without portfolio
A minister that does not have a ministry
Speech from the throne
A review of the preceding government year that also sketches the policy for th next year. This speech falls under ministerial responsibility.
Total immunity
The fact that the monarch and all members of rhe Royal House cannot be held accountable for government policy or for ceremonial speeches or conduct: this also includes personal remarks.
Parliament
The First and Second Chamber, jointly called the States General.
The Second Chamber
The task of the Second Chamber is to make and approe laws, together with the government and to keep a check on the government.
Co-legislation rights
Voting right, right of admendment, right of initiative, budgetary right
Checking ministers rights
Right of motion, right to question, right of interpellation, right of enquiry.
The First Chamber
The job of the First Chamber is to see if bills comply with constitutional standards and the rules of proper legislation. The First Chamber therefore fills the role of the ‘final check’
Senate
First Chamber
Royal Decrees
When the king makes a decisions that has not been asked to be approved by parliament
Government Decrees
A decision by the government on specific details withtin an existing law. This decision was not asked to be approved by parliament.
Dualism
Dualism implies that there is a clear division between government and parliamentarising from the principle of trias politica
