Senate

The Senate is one of the two chambers of the Dutch Parliament. It is not elected directly by the Dutch people. The main task of the Senate is co-legislation, but it is also the duty of the Senators to scrutinise the work of the Government.

The members of the Senate are elected indirectly by the members of the provincial councils. The latter are elected directly by the Dutch people.

Scrutinising the work of the Government
The Senate has several instruments at its disposal to scrutinise the work of the Government, but does not often use them. As far as legislation is concerned, a bill adopted by the House of Representatives must be approved by the Senate in order to become law. The Senate does not have the right to amend a bill, however; it can only adopt or reject it. Nor do Senators have the right of initiative, i.e. the right to propose a bill.