The Dutch Government comprises the monarch, ministers, and state secretaries. The Constitution lays down that the ministers and state secretaries, but not the monarch are responsible for Government policy.
Each minister is in charge of a different area. Together, they make up the Cabinet, which is collectively responsible for all Government policy. The Prime Minister presides over the Cabinet and is responsible for maintaining Government unity.
The ministers are assisted by state secretaries, who are responsible for specific policy areas within their ministries. State secretaries are members of the Government, but not of the Cabinet.
