The cabinet of the Netherlands or council of ministers plans and implements government policy. The Monarch and the Council of Ministers together are called the Crown. The Prime Minister is the head of government. Most ministers also head government ministries, although ministers-without-portfolio exist. The ministers, collectively and individually, are responsible to the States General (parliament). Unlike the British system, Dutch ministers cannot simultaneously be members of parliament.
Dutch cabinets since World War II
Note: first party mentioned provided prime minister.
| Netherlands cabinet | Prime Minister | Party | From | Until |
|---|
| Schermerhorn/Drees | Willem Schermerhorn
Willem Drees | VDB,PvdA,KVP,ARP | June 24, 1945 | July 3, 1946 |
| Beel I | Louis Beel | KVP,PvdA | July 3, 1946 | August 7, 1948 |
| Drees I | Willem Drees | PvdA,KVP,CHU,VVD | August 7, 1948 | March 15, 1951 |
| Drees II | Willem Drees | PvdA,KVP, ARP,CHU | March 15, 1951 | September 2, 1952 |
| Drees III | Willem Drees | PvdA,KVP, ARP,CHU | September 2, 1952 | October 13, 1956 |
| Drees IV | Willem Drees | PvdA,KVP, ARP,CHU | October 13, 1956 | December 22, 1958 |
| Beel II | Louis Beel | KVP, ARP,CHU | December 22, 1958 | May 19, 1959 |
| De Quay | Jan de Quay | KVP, ARP,CHU,VVD | May 19, 1959 | July 24, 1963 |
| Marijnen | Victor Marijnen | KVP, ARP,CHU,VVD | July 24, 1963 | April 14, 1965 |
| Cals | Jo Cals | KVP, ARP,PvdA | April 14, 1965 | November 22, 1966 |
| Zijlstra | Jelle Zijlstra | ARP,KVP | November 22, 1966 | April 5, 1967 |
| De Jong | Piet de Jong | KVP, ARP,CHU,VVD | April 5, 1967 | July 6, 1971 |
| Biesheuvel I | Barend Biesheuvel | ARP,KVP,CHU,VVD | July 6, 1971 | August 9, 1972 |
| Biesheuvel II | Barend Biesheuvel | ARP,KVP,CHU,VVD | August 9, 1972 | May 11, 1973 |
| Den Uyl | Joop den Uyl | PvdA,KVP, ARP,PPR | May 11, 1973 | December 19, 1977 |
| Van Agt I | Dries van Agt | CDA,VVD | December 19, 1977 | September 11, 1981 |
| Van Agt II | Dries van Agt | CDA,PvdA,D'66 | September 11, 1981 | May 29, 1982 |
| Van Agt III | Dries van Agt | CDA,D'66 | May 29, 1982 | November 4, 1982 |
| Lubbers I | Ruud Lubbers | CDA,VVD | November 4, 1982 | July 14, 1986 |
| Lubbers II | Ruud Lubbers | CDA,VVD | July 14, 1986 | November 7, 1989 |
| Lubbers III | Ruud Lubbers | CDA,PvdA | November 7, 1989 | August 22, 1994 |
| Kok I | Wim Kok | PvdA,VVD,D'66 | August 22, 1994 | August 3, 1998 |
| Kok II | Wim Kok | PvdA,VVD,D'66 | August 3, 1998 | July 22, 2002 |
| Balkenende I | Jan Peter Balkenende | CDA,LPF,VVD | July 22, 2002 | May 27, 2003 |
| Balkenende II | Jan Peter Balkenende | CDA,VVD,D'66 | May 27, 2003 | |
