The Netherlands
Queen’s ‘Speech from the Throne’ Outlines Plans for the Future
Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (born January 31, 1938) has been queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since April 1980, when her mother, Queen Juliana, abdicated. As queen, Beatrix has more power than most other reigning monarchs in Europe.
While local government is handled by elected officials, the queen plays a key role in the country’s international relations and serves as an official spokesperson for the country.
The queen gives the ‘Speech from the Throne’ every year in September in an event called ‘Prinsjesdag’, during which she speaks to parliament in the Ridderzaal at the Binnenhof in The Hague. The ‘Speech from the Throne’ sets out the government’s plans for the coming year.
In last year’s speech, the queen referred to the global financial crisis and its impact on the Netherlands. She said, “The times we are living in demand determination and a willingness to change. The global financial and economic crisis has hit countries hard, including the Netherlands. The consequences will be felt for a long time to come…. The government’s ambition is to turn uncertainty into recovery. The changes required can strengthen the Netherlands economically and socially. We have much to offer our country and one another by standing together and holding fast to the tradition of freedom, responsible citizenship and active European and international engagement.”
The queen pointed out that the government had submitted a ‘Crisis and Recovery’ bill aimed at accelerating procedures for infrastructure projects. She said, “This will lay the basis for greater economic dynamism and therefore more jobs.”
