Constitutional Law / Droit constitutionnel
The Netherlands / Pays-Bas
In 2008 inhabitants of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles gained the right to vote for the European Parliament due to a decision of the European Court of Justice. Also a few minor constitutional reforms were made as an amendment of the Dutch Constitution. A new amendment was also proposed on introducing a certain limited system of judicial review, although the decision to do so can only be taken after the new elections of the Dutch Second Chamber. A new Act on parliamentary Survey came into force, and the Minister of Housing, Neighbourhood and Integration, Mrs. Vogelaar had to resign, and a new Minister, Mr. Van der Laan was appointed. Also there was an important not binding decision by the Commision on Equal Treatment on the issue of the freedom of Religion and same-Sex Marriage. The Treaty of Lisbon passed through both Houses of Dutch Parliament, the Referenda of Mayor appointments has been cancelled and new elections on Dutch Regional Waterboards were held. A new Commission to Advice the Government on a new written Constitution has still not been formatted and finally some strong measures were taken by the Dutch Minister of Finance because of the financial crisis.
