Artikel 30: Appointment of a successor to the throne

Artikel 30
  1. A successor to the Throne may be appointed by Act of Parliament if it appears that there will otherwise be no successor. The Bill shall be presented by or on behalf of the King, upon which the Houses shall be dissolved. The newly convened Houses shall discuss and decide upon the matter in joint session. Such a Bill shall be passed only if at least two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour.
  2. The Houses shall be dissolved if there is no successor on the death or abdication of the King. The newly convened Houses shall meet in joint session within four months of the decease or abdication in order to decide on the appointment of a King. They may appoint a successor only if at least two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour.

Explanation

Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect. 

If it appears that the King will leave no successor when he dies, or if he dies without one, the States General appoint a King in joint session. The procedure is as follows:

  • If it is foreseen that there will be no successor, the government introduces a bill. Both Houses are dissolved after its introduction. A private member’s bill is excluded.
  • If there is no successor when the King dies, the Houses are dissolved. The new Houses meet within four months of his death to decide on the appointment of a successor, but this need not be done by Act of Parliament.

In both cases, the new Houses decide by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

The dissolution and ensuing elections also involve voters in the appointment. In both cases, a new King is appointed by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.