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Prime Minister of the Netherlands

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands or Minister President is in the Politics_of_the_Netherlands the head of government and active executive authority of the Dutch Government. Although formally no special powers are assigned, the Prime Minister functions as the "face" of the cabinet of the Netherlands. Usually, the prime minister is also minister of General Affairs (Minister van Algemene Zaken). Until 1945, the position of head of the council of ministers officially switched between the ministers, although practices differed throughout history. In 1945, the position was formally instituted. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party or coalition in the lower house of parliament (Tweede Kamer), and is a member of the Council of Ministers.

Dutch Prime Ministers since World War II

Prime Minister From Until Party
Willem Schermerhorn June 24, 1945 July 3, 1946 PvdA
Louis Beel July 3, 1946 August 7, 1948 KVP
Willem Drees August 7, 1948 December 22, 1958 PvdA
Louis Beel December 22, 1958 May 19, 1959 KVP
Jan de Quay May 19, 1959 July 24, 1963 KVP
Victor Marijnen July 24, 1963 April 14, 1965 KVP
Jo Cals April 14, 1965 November 22, 1966 KVP
Jelle Zijlstra November 22, 1966 April 5, 1967 ARP
Piet de Jong April 5, 1967 July 6, 1971 KVP
Barend Biesheuvel July 6, 1971 May 11, 1973 ARP
Joop den Uyl May 11, 1973 December 19, 1977 PvdA
Dries van Agt December 19, 1977 November 4, 1982 CDA
Ruud Lubbers November 4, 1982 August 22, 1994 CDA
Wim Kok August 22, 1994 July 22, 2002 PvdA
Jan Peter Balkenende July 22, 2002 CDA

For earlier ones, see List of Prime Ministers of the Netherlands

Last updated: 09-12-2005 02:39:13