formeren

Formeren is a term used in parliamentary democracies, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium, to describe the process of establishing a new government by forming a cabinet. It encompasses the negotiations, appointments, and agreements needed to create a governing coalition that can command parliamentary support and implement a policy program. The procedure is designed to produce stability after elections, when no single party holds an outright majority.

The process commonly involves several roles. An informateur or informatrice is appointed to explore possible coalitions, assess political compatibility, and provide the monarch with viable pathways. If a path is identified, a formateur (often the leader of the largest party in the prospective coalition) is appointed to negotiate the cabinet composition and the coalition agreement. The coalition agreement sets policy priorities, budgets, and the allocation of ministerial portfolios among participating parties.

When negotiations succeed, the proposed ministers are named and the new cabinet is sworn in, usually by the monarchy. Until the new cabinet is fully in place, a caretaker or demissionary government may continue to handle day-to-day affairs. If negotiations fail, parties may restart the process, pursue different coalitions, or, in some cases, trigger new elections.

Variations exist between countries. In Belgium, the roles of informateur and formateur are central at federal, regional, and community levels, with the monarch serving as mediator. While the general aim of formeren is the same, practice and timelines can differ based on constitutional traditions and party dynamics.