A Dictionary of Dutchness

Eerste Kamer

The senate (or upper chamber of parliament) has 75 members who are elected by the members of the provincial governments. The senate’s main duties are legislative but it also plays a role in scrutinising the actions of the government. Formally it can only accept or reject legislation, but the debates held in the Eerste Kamer are considered to be important because they contribute to the interpretation of law. Senators do occasionally reject legislation, which wins them big newspaper headlines.