Artikel 48: Signing of appointment and dismissal decrees for ministers and state secretaries

Artikel 48

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.

In andere talen:

English

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.

Français

Le décret royal portant nomination du Premier Ministre est contresigné par lui. Les décrets royaux portant nomination ou révocation des autres ministres et des secrétaires d'État sont contresignés par le Premier Ministre.

Deutsch

Der königliche Erlass, durch den der Ministerpräsident ernannt wird, wird von ihm mitunterzeichnet. Die königlichen Erlasse, durch die die übrigen Minister und die Staatssekretäre ernannt und entlassen werden, werden vom Ministerpräsidenten mitunterzeichnet.

Español

El real decreto de nombramiento del Primer Ministro tiene que ser confirmado por este último, mediante su firma. Los reales decretos de nombramiento o separación de los demás Ministros y de los Secretarios de Estado serán confirmados por el Primer Ministro.

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.

After a cabinet formation, the Prime Minister reads the Government Statement during a meeting of the House of Representatives. In doing so, he reports on his role in the cabinet formation. It is seen as a shortcoming that the informateur, the unsuccessful formateur, and the formateur who remains outside the cabinet cannot be held accountable. One may also question whether accountability for the King's actions is watertight.