Historic composition of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands explained

The Historic composition of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands gives an overview of the composition of the House of Representatives (lower house) of the Dutch parliament. It shows the composition after elections, splits from parties are not included.

1815 to 1887

The House of Representatives of the Netherlands was established in 1815 when the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was created. Initially it consisted of 110 members, elected by the provincial councils. Members served a three-year term, with one third of the seats up for election each year. In 1830, the southern provinces declared their independence in the Belgian Revolution, to become Belgium. Initially the Netherlands did not recognise this, but the 55 seats in the House of Representatives representing these provinces remained vacant, so the de facto membership was reduced to 55 members.[1] After the Treaty of London in 1839, the Dutch government recognised the separation of Belgium, and became the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1840 the constitution was changed; all southern provinces except the eastern half of the province of Limburg (with three representatives) had left the Kingdom of the Netherlands, so the size of the House of Representatives was fixed at 58 members.[1]

The Constitutional Reform of 1848 resulted in direct elections to the House of Representatives. Members served a four-year term, with half of the seats up for election every two years.[2] The total membership was set at one member for each 45000 Dutch citizens;[3] so the house increased to 68 members; in 1859 it grew further to 72 members.[1]

1888-1917

The constitution of 1887 changed the system; election were held every 4 years for all members at the same time, using a district system, and the total membership was set at 100 members.

Party1888
- 1891
1891
- 1894
1894
- 1897
1897
- 1901
1901
- 1905
1905
- 1909
1909
- 1913
1913
- 1917
1917
- 1918
Conservative1
RKSP252525222525252524
ARP272115172315251112
VAR57
CHP7
CHU10109
BVL138941010
Liberal Union465357351825201921
RB134
VDB911978
SDAP26671815
SDB1
Independent Socialist111
CHK11
FB11
Independent AR1
Total100100100100100100100100100

1917-1956: Introduction of proportional representation

For the 1918 election, the constitution was changed: the districts system was abandoned, and proportional representation was used.

Party1918
- 1922
1922
- 1925
1925
- 1929
1929
- 1933
1933
- 1937
1937
- 1946
1946
- 1948
1948
- 1952
1952
- 1956
RKSP303230302831
KVP323230
RKVP/KDP11
ARP131613121417131312
CHU7111111108899
CDP1
CDU12
SGP12332222
HGSP111
BVL4
Liberal Union6
EB3
LSP109874
VVD689
VDB557766
SDAP222024242223
PvdA292730
SDP/CPH/CPN2212431086
RSP/RSAP1
SP1
PB12111
NSB4
BCS1
VDW1
NP1
CSP1
MP1
LP1
MPS&L1
VNH1
KNP12
Total100100100100100100100100100

1956-2002: Enlargement of the House

In 1956 the House of Representatives was enlarged from 100 to 150 members.

Party1956
- 1959
1959
- 1963
1963
- 1967
1967
- 1971
1971
- 1972
1972
- 1977
1977
- 1981
1981
- 1982
1982
- 1986
1986
- 1989
1989
- 1994
1994
- 1998
1998
- 2002
KVP494950423527
ARP151413151314
CHU13121312107
CDA49484554543429
PvdA50484337394353444752493745
VVD13191617162228263627223138
D66711681769122414
SGP333333333332
GPV11221111222
RPF221133
PSP244221331
PPR273322
CPN734567233
EVP1
GL6511
SP25
CD13
CP1
AOV6
Unie 55+1
DS '70861
BP37131
RKPN1
NMP2
Total150150150150150150150150150150150150150

2002-present: Fragmentation

Party2002
- 2003
2003
- 2006
2006
- 2010
2010
- 2012
2012
- 2017
2017
- 2021
2021
- 2023
2023
- present
VVD2428223141333424
CDA434441211319155
PvdA234233303899
GL1087104148
GL/PvdA25
PVV92415201737
SP992515151495
D66763101219249
CU43655553
LPF268
NSC20
PvdD222563
SGP22223333
FvD283
Denk333
BBB17
50PLUS241
Volt32
JA2131
LN2
BIJ11
Total150150150150150150150150

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.historici.nl/Onderzoek/Projecten/Repertorium/app/instellingen/5/ Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal (1815-1861)
  2. http://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vi7hh36459z7/artikel_85_zittingsduur_roulatie_leden Ontwikkeling Grondwet artikel 85
  3. http://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vi7hh3619oz3/artikel_81_omvang_tweede_kamer_wijze_van Ontwikkeling Grondwet artikel 81