Paragraph 2: King and ministers

1. The Government shall comprise the King and the Ministers.
2. The Ministers, and not the King, shall be responsible for acts of government.

The Prime Minister and the other Ministers shall be appointed and dismissed by Royal Decree.

1. Ministries shall be established by Royal Decree. They shall be headed by a Minister.
2. Non-departmental Ministers may also be appointed.

1. The Ministers shall together constitute the Cabinet.
2. The Prime Minister shall chair the Cabinet.
3. The Cabinet shall consider and decide upon overall government policy and shall promote the coherence thereof.

1. State Secretaries may be appointed and dismissed by Royal Decree.
2. A State Secretary shall act with ministerial authority in place of the Minister in cases in which the Minister considers it necessary; the State Secretary shall observe the Ministers instructions in such cases. Responsibility shall rest with the State Secretary without prejudice to the responsibility of the Minister.

All Acts of Parliament and Royal Decrees shall be signed by the King and by one or more Ministers or 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.

Upon accepting office Ministers and State Secretaries shall swear an oath or make an affirmation and promise in the presence of the King, in the manner prescribed by Act of Parliament, that they have not done anything which may legally debar them from holding office, and shall also swear or promise allegiance to the Constitution and that they will faithfully discharge their duties.