Europe Asia News

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held a joint briefing meeting with representatives of constitutional institutions responsible for advisory and oversight processes of cabinet policies.

The meeting was attended by Vice President of the Council of State Thom de Graaf, President of the Court of Audit Pieter Duisenberg, and National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen.

Highlighting the necessity of government oversight in a healthy democracy, Prime Minister Jetten said: “In a healthy democracy, government oversight is essential. That is why we have embedded it in our constitutional structure. In addition to the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Council of State, the Court of Audit, and the National Ombudsman also play advisory and oversight roles regarding cabinet policy.”

Providing details on the functions of the institutions, Jetten added: “The Council of State advises the government on the legal feasibility of all legislative proposals; the Court of Audit monitors whether tax money is spent properly; and the Ombudsman defends the rights of citizens harmed by the government.”