Public administration

As well as central government, the Netherlands has two other important tiers of government: the province and the municipality. The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations is responsible for cohesion and democracy in government. Above all, he aims to ensure that provinces and municipalities can exercise real power and remain close to the people.

One of the means at his disposal is to strengthen municipalities by changing the boundaries between them. He is also trying to give provinces and municipalities additional powers and budgetary options.

Another important part of democratic renewal is the separation of powers between the executive and the council (dualism) at both provincial and municipal level. The goal is to boost the quality of government and public involvement.

Many problems and developments are no respecters of provincial or municipal boundaries, so cooperation is essential. Representatives of central, provincial, and municipal government regularly discuss many important subjects under the New-style Administrative Agreement. Government in metropolitan areas often demands a cooperative approach owing to the close ties between cities and the suburban municipalities around them.