The Netherlands: Political Developments and Data in 2021

Abstract

AbstractThe political year 2021 represented the most tumultuous period in the Netherlands in nearly two decades. After a relatively uneventful general election, the traditional culture of consensual elite cooperation broke down temporarily. This could be seen in a censure motion adopted against the Prime Minister, which he ignored, and the extremely lengthy coalition formation process, which was paralleled by the gradual decomposition of the caretaker Cabinet. By the end of the year, no new Cabinet had been installed, although the same four parties that had formed the existing government reached a new coalition agreement.