The Dutch Senate accepted the Kings budget for 2025 on Tuesday, February 11, after a brief debate with Prime Minister Schoof about ministerial responsibility. Senator Van Rooijen (50PLUS) engaged in a discussion with the Prime Minister regarding Princess Laurentiens involvement in the child benefits scandal.
Senator Van Rooijen previously questioned the Prime Minister in writing about the ministerial responsibility for the actions of Royal House members. The Prime Minister responded that the Secretary of State for Finance was responsible. Schoof stated that Princess Laurentiens involvement was assessed by the Secretary of State, concluding no objections, and that former Prime Minister Rutte endorsed this conclusion.
In Tuesdays debate, Van Rooijen disagreed with this conclusion, stating: Actions affecting the public interest are, in my view, chefsache. He questioned whether Schoof agreed and if he would follow this approach in future cases: Will it then always be the Prime Minister who answers questions from the States General? Finally, he asked if the Prime Minister would consider embedding this in regulations.
The Prime Minister replied that the general ministerial responsibility lies with the Prime Minister. Article 42 of the Constitution states that the king is inviolable and ministers are responsible. Regarding other Royal House members, the Prime Minister plays an important role. Schoof: For members receiving a constitutional allowance, the responsibility is yes, unless. For non-receiving members, it is no, unless. This does not eliminate the possibility of tension.
According to Schoof, this tension lies in the need for a different life fulfillment while preventing these members from opposing the cabinet. To handle this meaningfully, it is crucial that ministerial responsibility around their functions is well-formed. This is even more important for future generations, said the Prime Minister. In light of this, he promised the House of Representatives to send a letter, but embedding it in regulations does not seem appropriate to him.
Subsequently, the Senate accepted the budget, including the expenditures and revenues for the year 2025 of the King, without a vote.