In the Netherlands, an extraparlementair kabinet, literally translating to “extra-parliamentary cabinet” in English, is a specific type of government cabinet with a distinct formation process and characteristics compared to a traditional coalition cabinet. Here’s a breakdown of what it is and how it differs from others:
Formation process:
- Limited party involvement: Unlike a traditional coalition cabinet formed by multiple parties with proportional representation in parliament (Tweede Kamer), an extraparlementair kabinet involves a limited number of parties.
- Focus on program, not parties: These parties agree on a limited program outlining key issues they will address during their term. This program typically focuses on tackling major national challenges or crises.
- Formateur’s role: The formation process is led by a formateur, an independent individual who identifies potential parties and negotiates the program.
Key characteristics:
- Focus and stability: The limited number of parties and a pre-defined program aim to create a more focused and stable government compared to a traditional coalition with potentially conflicting priorities.
- Extra-parliamentary nature: An extraparlementair kabinet might not have a guaranteed majority in parliament. They may need to rely on support from other parties on a case-by-case basis to pass legislation.
Why choose an extraparlementair kabinet?
- Addressing national challenges: This type of cabinet can be a solution when traditional coalition building fails or there’s a need for a strong and focused government to address urgent national issues.
- Stability over minority government: It can offer more stability compared to a minority government which might struggle to pass legislation due to a lack of majority support.
Possible drawbacks:
- Democratic legitimacy: Since it may not reflect the full spectrum of views in parliament, some might see it as less democratic.
- Limited program: The focus on a limited program might neglect other important issues.
- Unstable support: Reliance on other parties for support can lead to uncertainty and difficulty in passing legislation.
Recent example (March 2024):
The Netherlands is currently considering forming an extraparlementair kabinet. After inconclusive elections, parties are struggling to form a traditional coalition government. Informateur Kim Putters suggested a programkabinet as a possible solution to address key national challenges.
In conclusion, an extraparlementair kabinet is a unique Dutch cabinet formed by a limited number of parties who agree on a specific program to tackle major national issues. It offers advantages like stability and focus but also has potential drawbacks regarding democratic legitimacy and program scope.