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PoliticsThe Netherlands uses systems of proportional representation in electing municipal, provincial, and national assemblies. This allows even small political parties to win representation. In the 1994 Second Chamber elections, for example, 12 parties won seats. On the national level, the Netherlands has always been governed by coalitions of parties, the formation of which has often proved difficult. In the early 1990s, the largest parties were the Christian Democratic Appeal, a moderate group; the Labor Party, a socialist organisation; the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, a liberal, business-oriented party; and Democrats 66, a relatively new party seeking greater direct citizens' participation in the political system. Of the many smaller parties, most are extremely liberal (or left wing) or extremely conservative. |