House of Representatives news

Involving citizens in overseeing the government: that was the purpose of the meeting of the citizens' panel V100 in the House of Representatives on Friday, 18 May 2018. On that day, citizens were given the opportunity to pose questions about the ministries' annual reports, concerning a number of pre-selected topics. Two days earlier, on Wednesday, 16 May, it was Accountability Day, the counterpart of Prince's Day, in the House of Representatives. On Accountability Day, instead of debating plans, the House examines how these plans have been implemented. That is why Accountability Day is an important moment for Parliament's scrutiny of the work of the government.

On Thursday, 19 April 2018, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited The Hague. The president of the House of Representatives, Ms Khadija Arib, and the president of the Senate, Ms Ankie Broekers-Knol, received him in the historical Stadholder's Room in the building of the House of Representatives. Mr Stoltenberg also met with members of the Foreign Affairs and Defence committees of both chambers.

On History of The Hague Day, Saturday, 14 April 2018, the House of Representatives will open the doors of its Proceedings Room ("Handelingenkamer"). This historical library is only rarely open to the public, the previous occasion was on Heritage Day, 9 September 2017.

On Thursday March 22 at approximately 12 noon, an incident happened on the public gallery of the Plenary Hall at the House of Representatives. A man jumped down onto the floor of the Hall from the public gallery. Police officers, security personnel and emergency response officers were quickly at the scene. The victim was transported to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Since Tuesday, 6 February 2018, a replica of the Act of Abjuration (Plakkaat van Verlatinghe), the unofficial declaration of independence of the Netherlands from 1581, is on display near the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives. The President of the House, Ms Arib, was the first to take a look at the replica. "The Act of Abjuration tells us who we are", said Arib.

On Tuesday afternoon, 9 January 2018, members of the standing committee on European Affairs had a meeting with Michel Barnier. This Frenchman is the chief Brexit negotiatior on behalf of the European Commission. The MPs discussed with him the progress in the negotiations on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (EU).

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In what direction should the European Union be heading? Should it strive for more cooperation in more fields? Or should it strive for less cooperation, of more efficiency? What topics should be given priority? Dutch Members of Parliament will discuss these and more issues with a number of experts as well as representatives from EU institutions, such as Mr Frans Timmermans, first Vice-President of the European Commission.

Members of Parliament are unable to monitor the EU effectively at present. This is particularly true of the consultations and negotiations between member states on new European legislation in areas such as agriculture, pensions and migration policy. Documents are not routinely made public, for example.

The Netherlands must be pepared for there being no agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) after Brexit. This is the the so-called chaos scenario, in which the UK leaves the European Union (EU) without a transition period and without any arrangements regarding the new EU-UK relationship.

On Thursday morning 26 October 2017, the Rutte III cabinet was sworn in by King Willem Alexander at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, followed by the traditional photograph on the steps of the palace. The taking office of the new cabinet also causes changes in the composition of the House of Representatives. On Tuesday 31 October, twelve new MPs will be sworn in: six VVD, three D66, two CDA and one ChristianUnion MPs. The debate about the Government Statement will be held on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 November.

On Tuesday, 10 October 2017, VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristianUnion presented the Coalition Agreement entitled 'Confidencein the Future'. Early in the afternoon, the leaders of these four political groups commented on the Coalition Agreement in the Old Plenary Hall, shortly after the presentation by informateur Mr Gerrit Zalm of his final report to the President of the House, Ms Khadija Arib. Earlier that day, the VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristianUnion groups in the House agreed to the final version of the Coalition Agreement. On Thursday, 12 October, the House will hold a debate about the final report of informateur Zalm.

From Friday 22 September until Monday 25 September Mr Anne Mulder MP (VVD) will act as an observer at the parliamentary elections in Germany. On behalf of the Senate and the House of Representatives Mr Mulder takes part in an observer mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA).

On Wednesday 9 August 2017, the leaders of VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie have continued their preliminary talks aimed at forming a coalition government in the Netherlands. These talks are presided by Informateur Gerrit Zalm.

Saturday 9th September 2017, the House of Representatvies opens its doors for Heritage Day (Open Monumentendag). Visitors are welcome to see the Old Library and the Chamber of the House.