How is the Dutch parliament constructed?
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. It is governed under a constitution, as amended in 1814. The head of state of The Netherlands is the hereditary monarch, who has just little power in running the government since the constitution was revised in 1848. The principal executive official of the country is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the monarch and heads a cabinet that is responsible to the parliament, called the States-General. The current head of state is Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and the current outgoing Prime Minister is Mr.dr. J.P. Balkenende. The parliament consists of two houses: the indirectly elected First Chamber, with 75 members who only have the power of veto in the legislative process, and the directly elected Second Chamber, whose 150 members control the government and propose legislation. Members of both houses serve for four years. Everyone from 18 years and up, is able to vote.
