Ruud Lubbers

Rudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈryt ˈlʏbərs]; born 7 May 1939) is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 4 November 1982 until 22 August 1994.

Lubbers a businessman and economist by occupation, worked for the Hollandia Corporate as a corporate director from 1963 until 1973. After the Dutch general election of 1972 Lubbers was asked by the Catholic People's Party (KVP) to become Minister of Economic Affairs in the Cabinet Den Uyl under Prime Minister Joop den Uyl of the Labour Party. Lubbers accepted and took office as the new Minister of Economic Affairs on 11 May 1973. After the Dutch general election of 1977 he was elected as Member of the House of Representatives serving from 8 June 1977 until 8 September 1977 and again from 22 December 1977 until 4 November 1982. On 7 November 1978 Willem Aantjes the Parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal in the House of Representatives resigned and Lubbers was selected to succeed him serving from 7 November 1978 until 10 June 1981 and again from 24 Augustus 1981 until 4 November 1982. After the Dutch general election of 1982 Prime Minister Dries van Agt unexpectedly announced his retirement from national politics and stood down as Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal on 13 October 1982 Lubbers was selected to succeed him.

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime minister is the presiding member and chairman of the cabinet. In a minority of systems, notably in semi-presidential systems of government, a prime minister is the official who is appointed to manage the civil service and execute the directives of the head of state.

In parliamentary systems fashioned after the Westminster system, the prime minister is the presiding and actual head of government and head of the executive branch. In such systems, the head of state or the head of state's official representative (i.e. the monarch, president, or governor-general) usually holds a largely ceremonial position, although often with reserve powers.

The prime minister is often, but not always, a member of parliament and is expected with other ministers to ensure the passage of bills through the legislature. In some monarchies the monarch may also exercise executive powers (known as the royal prerogative) that are constitutionally vested in the crown and may be exercised without the approval of parliament.

André van Duin

Adrianus Marinus Kyvon (born Adrianus Marinus Kloot; 20 February 1947), known by his stage name André van Duin, is a Dutch comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, author, television presenter, television director, television producer and screenwriter.

Career

1960s: New Harvest and Snip & Snap

Van Duin was discovered in 1964 when he won the AVRO talent contest show New Harvest (Dutch: Nieuwe Oogst), giving him the opportunity to debut on television alongside singing father and daughter Willy and Willeke Alberti.

From 1967 onwards, he made regular appearances on Dutch television and took apprenticeship at comedians Snip & Snap's theatre shows.

1970s: Revue, Dik Voormekaar Show, big hits

In the 1970s André van Duin set up his own Revue with Frans van Dusschoten (the straight man) and Corrie van Gorp. These shows were televised on TROS and in 1975 Van Duin won an award for Dag Dag Heerlijke Lach. During this decade Van Duin had hits such as "Het bananenlied" (1972, parody of the Banana Boat Song), "Angelique", "De tamme boerenzoon", "Doorgaan", and "Willy Alberti, bedankt".

Prime Minister of the Netherlands

The Minister-President of the Netherlands (Dutch: Minister-president van Nederland), commonly referred to in English as the Prime Minister, is the head of the executive arm of the Dutch government and the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Netherlands. He is the de facto head of government of the Netherlands and coordinates the policy of the government. The current prime minister is Mark Rutte.

Role

Although he is the most important political figure in the Netherlands, the Prime Minister is not as powerful as his British and German counterparts. This is mainly because, due to the Dutch system of proportional representation, it is nearly impossible for one party to get a majority of seats in the House of Representatives (lower house). Therefore, the government is always a coalition between two or more parties. Because of his limited powers, the prime minister is described as primus inter pares (first among equals).

As a result of the constitutional review of 1983, the position of Prime Minister was inscribed into the Dutch constitution for the first time. According to the constitution, the Government is constituted by the King and the ministers. The constitution stipulates the Prime Minister chairs the council of ministers (article 45) and is appointed by royal decree (article 43). The royal decree of their own appointment and those of the other ministers are to be countersigned by the Prime Minister (article 48).