216systeem

The 216systeem is a Dutch term that refers to a specific type of Dutch government coalition formed in 2012. The coalition was a grand coalition between the Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid, PvdA) and the Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl, CDA). This coalition was notable for its unusual composition, as it included the PvdA, which is typically a left-wing party, and the CDA, which is a center-right party. The coalition was led by Mark Rutte, the leader of the CDA, who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

The 216systeem was named after the number of seats in the Dutch House of Representatives that the coalition held. The PvdA won 41 seats, while the CDA won 36 seats, totaling 77 seats. However, the coalition also included the Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV), which won 34 seats, and the Christian Union (ChristenUnie), which won 1 seat. The PVV is a right-wing populist party, while the ChristenUnie is a conservative Christian party. The inclusion of these parties in the coalition was unusual, as they are not typically seen as part of the center-right or left-wing spectrum.

The 216systeem was formed in response to the 2012 Dutch general election, which resulted in a fragmented parliament. The coalition was able to govern due to the support of the PVV, which agreed to support the coalition in exchange for certain policy concessions. The 216systeem was criticized by some for its lack of ideological unity and for its reliance on the PVV, which was seen as a populist and nationalist party.

The 216systeem lasted until 2017, when it was succeeded by the Rutte III cabinet, which was a smaller coalition between the CDA and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, VVD). The 216systeem is remembered as a unique and controversial period in Dutch politics, characterized by its unusual coalition composition and the challenges of governing in a fragmented parliament.