Latest blog articles

  • Blind trust?

    May the US President appoint his son in law as advisor to the White House? For quite a lot formal appointments the President needs the advice and consent (permission) from the senate, but not here. Is it permissible? 

    Trump for President MLR blogs
  • Courts entering the political thicket to the rescue of parliaments

    It is often said that courts, when exercising judicial review or settling constitutional conflicts, may enter the political domain and take the seat of parliament or politics as the representative of the people and the body to which governments should be accountable. However, in light of quite a few...

    case-law_blog rescue of parliaments
  • Are referenda democratic?

    In representative systems are not only about majority decisions, but also about comprimises to find majorities and maintain them. That's something we've seen in the Netherlands over the last couple of years... This blog is only available in Dutch. 

    Referendum_democratie_Europe
  • CETA: Complex, though Approved

    During the period of July to October 2016, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada was up for approval at the National States... This blog is only available in Dutch.

    Canada_CETA
  • Wilders: a political trial?

    Is the Wilders trial a political process - like his attorney Geert-Jan Knoops argues? Is it an impossible task for the judge because, like he said, it is in fact about the party programme of the PVV - and therefore encroaches on the political decision-making process?... This blog is only available...

    Blog Wilders
  • Van Rey didn't commit misconduct as a senator

    For a long time it remains silent among art. 119 of the constitution (about misconduct committed by members of parliaments and ministers) and suddenly there's trouble. This article is only available in Dutch.

    ontvangst_van_cornelis_hop_als_gezant_der_staten_generaal_aan_het_hof_van_lodewijk_xv_24_juli_1719_rijksmuseum
  • The tax plan

    It has just been accepted by the Dutch Second Chamber, but that does not mean it will make it past the First. That's the status of the tax plan right now. And indeed... This blog is only available in Dutch.

    Het belastingplan