14.1

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Outline of the legal environment in the Netherlands

14.1.1 The constitutional structure of the Netherlands

The Netherlands is formally a kingdom. However, constitutionally the King has no actual powers, as all legislative and executive powers reside with the Government and Parliament. Parliament consists of two chambers, of which the second chamber is elected directly by the constituency. The first chamber of Parliament has a limited power to review legislation that was already adopted by the second chamber. The first chamber lacks the power to propose legislation as such power is solely invested in the second chamber. Although the capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, the government has its seat in Den Haag (which is also the home of many international institutions, such as the permanent court of arbitration).