House of Representatives (Netherlands)

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House of Representatives Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
38th House of Representatives
150px
Type
Type	Lower house of the [[States General of the Netherlands]]
Leadership
Speaker	Vera Bergkamp since 7 April 2021
Structure
Seats	150
Elections
Voting system	Party-list proportional representation
Last election	17 March 2021
Next election	2025
Meeting place
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Binnenhof, The Hague
Website
www.tweedekamer.nl

The House of Representatives (Dutch: Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, or simply Tweede Kamer) is the lower house of the States General of the Netherlands. It has 150 seats, which are filled through party-list proportional representation. The House of Representatives plays a crucial role in the legislative process, scrutinizing the actions of the cabinet and proposing legislation.

History

The House of Representatives was established in 1815, following the Dutch Constitution of 1814. Initially, it was part of a bicameral system, with the Senate serving as the upper house. Over the years, the House has evolved, gaining more power and responsibilities, particularly after the constitutional reforms of 1848, which introduced direct elections.

Functions

The primary functions of the House of Representatives include:

• Legislating: Proposing, debating, and voting on new laws.
• Oversight: Monitoring and scrutinizing the actions of the cabinet and other government bodies.
• Budgeting: Approving the national budget and overseeing its implementation.
• Representing: Acting as a representative body for the Dutch people.

Composition

The House of Representatives consists of 150 members, elected every four years through a system of party-list proportional representation. This system ensures that the number of seats each party receives is proportional to the number of votes they receive in the general election.

Elections

Elections for the House of Representatives are held every four years, unless the House is dissolved earlier. The most recent election was held on 17 March 2021. The next election is scheduled for 2025.

Leadership

The House of Representatives is led by the Speaker, who is elected by the members of the House. The current Speaker is Vera Bergkamp of Democrats 66, who has held the position since 7 April 2021.

Meeting Place

The House of Representatives meets in the Binnenhof in The Hague. The Binnenhof is a historic complex that has been the center of Dutch politics for centuries.

Related Pages

• States General of the Netherlands
• Senate (Netherlands)
• Cabinet of the Netherlands
• Constitution of the Netherlands
• Binnenhof
• 2021 Dutch general election
• Democrats 66