De herkomst van de kabinetsleider

Abstract

In this article a survey is given of various background data of the leaders of Dutch cabinets since 1848. A comparative study by the Interparliamentary Union is quoted, which stresses the fact that in the Netherlands the Head of Government can be chosen by the Sovereign from outside the parliament, although he must have the confidence of the parliament. Of the thirty-seven persons who have acted as cabinet-leaders since 1948, nine had been both members of parliament and ministers, eleven had only been members of parliament, eleven started their political careers as ministers and six had been neither ministers nor members of parliament. Most of them (18) came from the western part (’Holland’) of the Netherlands, Until the First World War the Liberals dominated: all in all, thirteen cabinet-leaders were Liberals, ten were Anti-Revolutionaries, six Roman Catholic, six Conservatives or former Liberals and two were Socialists. A comparison is made between cabinet-leaders who have been members of parliament and those who have not. Few clear differences can be discovered. Cabinet-leaders who have not been members of parliament are to be found among the representatives of all parties. ’Prime-Ministers’ who do not originate from the parliament seldom have their term continued. The author criticizes the practice of obtaining cabinet-leaders from outside the parliament. In difficult times parliamentary leaders should themselves face the responsibility of forming and leading a cabinet.