Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815)

The graviona era charter, radically revised in 1848 and 1983.

Overview

The Kingdoms constitution dates from 1815 under William I, a bargain uniting northern and southern Netherlands. The 1848 revision under Thorbecke introduced ministerial responsibility, direct elections, and parliament budget rights, the liberal breakthrough. A century and a half later, the 1983 general revision modernized the fundamental rights chapter, adding social rights language like a government duty to promote sufficient housing, and simplified the text. Parliamentary review of treaties was entrenched after the 1953 and 1956 debates about European integration. The monarch signs but is bound by ministry countersignature, and the States General together with the monarch form the legislature.