Article 48: Signing of appointment and dismissal decrees for ministers and state secretaries
The Royal Decree appointing the Prime Minister shall be countersigned by the latter. Royal Decrees appointing or dismissing Ministers and State Secretaries shall be countersigned by the Prime Minister.
Explanation
Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect.
The Prime Minister co-signs his own appointment decree. This means that he is personally responsible for his own appointment. He also signs the appointment and dismissal decrees of the other ministers and state secretaries. This underscores the Prime Minister's responsibility for his role in the formation of the cabinet.
Since 2012, the House of Representatives has appointed the informateurs and formateurs and debated their reports. After the formation process, the Prime Minister accounts to the House for the formation of the cabinet during the debate on the government statement.