King Willem-Alexander has been asked to appear in court on December 14th in a class action by the Dutch republican movement (Republiek) against State and King. The anti-monarchist campaign argues that many privileges the monarch enjoys are in breach of the right to a fair trial.
UTRECHT, 8 DECEMBER 2022
According to Republiek, the Dutch king not only has powers in the executive and legislative branches of government, he also enjoys special privileges in the courtroom. "When the king litigates, for example against the media to censor or block publication, there is no question of fair treatment there,” said Republiek president Floris Müller.
Republiek's lawyer Ewout Jansen explains: “The European Convention on Human Rights, which our country has signed, requires that parties be given the same opportunities when they stand before the court. That is not the case here: judges and lawyers swear allegiance to the monarch, magistrates are appointed by him, his portrait hangs in the courtroom and laws on the basis of which justice is administered can be delayed or blocked by the king.” The Dutch State argues that a difference should be made between Willem-Alexander as head of state and as private person.
Republiek already announced in 2020 that it wanted to start a process to limit the power of the king. The association then raised almost 35000 euros in less than a week with a crowdfunding campaign to pay for the lawsuit. “Enough to be able to take the case to the European court in Strasbourg, if necessary,” says president Müller.
According to Jansen, a win for Republiek could have major consequences for the role of the head of state in the Netherlands in law: “Not only will there be many changes in the courtroom, such as the removal of the portrait of Willem Alexander and inauguration procedures for judges and lawyers, but the Constitution will also have to be amended. All procedural privileges Willem-Alexander has, must come to an end.”
It is still unclear whether the king himself will come to court. He can choose to send his lawyer Arnold Croiset van Uchelen in his place. Jansen has previously asked the court about this state of affairs. Jansen: “The King is the only person in the Netherlands who does not have to answer questions from the court on the basis of special legislation”
In international media:
Dutchnews.nl: King Willem Alexander summoned to court over “illegal” judicial powers
Express (UK): Republicans take monarchy to COURT in new uprising
In Dutch media:
Algemeen Dagblad: Rechtszaak tegen macht koning dient volgende week: ‘Spannend of Willem-Alexander verschijnt’
De Koning is een symbool van ongelijkheid, net als Zwarte Piet (reacties)
BNR Nieuwsradio: Waarom een koning niet zoveel macht zou moeten hebben
Republiek wil dat rechter koninklijke macht beperkt
NOS: Genoeg geld om macht van koning aan te vechten
Kansrijk of niet? Drie vragen over rechtszaak tegen macht van de koning
NRC: Republikeinen willen macht koning aanvechten
Macht van de koning doet wel/niet afbreuk aan de onafhankelijkheid van de rechter
Bastaardzussenpotje (column Youp van ’t Hek)
Trouw: Republikeins Genootschap stapt naar rechter om rol van koning in rechtsgang aan banden te leggen
De Nieuws BV (NPO Radio1): Naar de rechter om macht van de koning in te perken
Al genoeg geld binnen voor rechtszaak rond macht koning
Shownieuws (SBS6): Republikeins Genootschap wil mond van koning snoeren
Hart van Nederland (SBS6): Genoeg geld ingezameld om macht van koning in te perken
NieuwNieuws: Republikeinen beginnen rechtszaak tegen macht van koning
Thuis op 5 (NPO Radio 5): Republikeinen kruisen de degens met de monarchie
Reformatorisch Dagblad: Republikeinen naar rechter om macht koning te beperken
