# KNM politics and the rule of law (staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat) Source: https://mykora.nl/knm/state-and-rule-of-law · Sources checked 2026-11-08 The state and the rule of law is one of the eight themes of the KNM exam. The questions are about how the country is governed, who makes the laws, who you can vote for, and the rights everyone has. Here are the key facts, with real practice questions from Kora. ## What the KNM exam asks about the state and the rule of law Many questions ask who does something: who makes laws, who decides on a punishment, who is chosen directly. The wrong answers are often other real parts of government. Other questions are about basic rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and equal treatment. These rights have limits, and the exam asks about those limits too. ## How the country is governed - The Netherlands is a democracy: the people choose who governs, in free elections. - The parliament (Staten-Generaal) has two chambers. You vote for the Tweede Kamer directly. The members of the Provinciale Staten choose the Eerste Kamer. - Laws are made by the government and the parliament together. The Eerste Kamer can accept or reject a bill, but cannot change it. - The kabinet is the ministers and the prime minister (minister-president). Usually several parties govern together in a coalition. - The King is head of state. His role is mostly ceremonial and he signs laws, but he does not govern. The throne passes within the royal family. - Three levels of government: the gemeente (municipality), the provincie (12 provinces) and the national government. There are also water boards (waterschappen). ## Elections - Elections for the Tweede Kamer, Eerste Kamer, provinces, water boards and municipal councils are every 4 years. The Tweede Kamer election can come earlier if the government falls. - The European Parliament election is every 5 years. - EU citizens who live in the Netherlands may vote for the municipal council. For the Tweede Kamer you need Dutch nationality. ## The rule of law and your rights - Article 1 of the Constitution: everyone is treated equally in equal cases. Discrimination is forbidden. - Separation of powers: parliament makes laws, the government carries them out, and independent judges decide. - The police investigate. A judge decides if someone is guilty and what the punishment is. You are innocent until a judge proves you guilty. - A suspect has the right to a lawyer and a fair trial. - Freedom of speech: you may give your opinion, also criticism. Discriminating against or threatening someone is not allowed. - Freedom of religion: you choose what you believe, or nothing. The state is neutral. You may also demonstrate peacefully. - Men and women have equal rights. Women decide for themselves about work, study and their own life. ## Practice questions from Kora 1. De Eerste en Tweede Kamer vormen samen het parlement. Welke Kamer wordt direct door de burgers gekozen? - Answer: De Tweede Kamer, rechtstreeks door de kiezers - Why: You vote for the Tweede Kamer directly. The Eerste Kamer is chosen by the Provinciale Staten. 2. Hoe vaak zijn er normaal verkiezingen voor de Tweede Kamer? - Answer: Elke vier jaar. - Why: Normally every 4 years, sooner if the government falls. 3. Wie maakt in Nederland de landelijke wetten? - Answer: De regering en het parlement samen. - Why: Laws are made by the government and parliament together. Judges apply laws. 4. Wat is de rol van de Koning in Nederland? - Answer: Hij heeft vooral een ceremoniële rol en tekent wetten; hij regeert niet zelf. - Why: The King has a mostly ceremonial role and signs laws. He does not govern. 5. De politie verdenkt iemand van diefstal. Wie bepaalt uiteindelijk welke straf de verdachte krijgt? - Answer: De rechter. - Why: An independent judge decides the punishment, not the police. 6. Karim wordt beschuldigd van diefstal, maar de rechter heeft nog niets bewezen. Wat geldt er dan? - Answer: Hij is onschuldig totdat de rechter zijn schuld bewijst - Why: You are innocent until a judge proves you guilty. 7. Wat staat er in Artikel 1 van de Grondwet? - Answer: Iedereen wordt in gelijke gevallen gelijk behandeld; discriminatie is verboden. - Why: Article 1: equal treatment in equal cases. Discrimination is forbidden. 8. Elena komt uit Spanje en woont in Nederland. Waarvoor mag zij stemmen? - Answer: Voor de gemeenteraad: EU-burgers die in Nederland wonen mogen dat. - Why: EU citizens may vote for the municipal council. The Tweede Kamer needs Dutch nationality. - [Practice all state and rule of law questions](https://mykora.nl/app/practice/knm?topic=state-and-rule-of-law) - [Try one KNM question free](https://mykora.nl/knm-practice) ## Questions people ask ### Who makes the laws in the Netherlands? The government and the parliament together. First the Tweede Kamer votes on a bill, then the Eerste Kamer accepts or rejects it. The King signs laws, but does not make them. Judges apply the laws. ### How often are there elections in the Netherlands? Most elections are every 4 years: Tweede Kamer, Eerste Kamer, provinces, water boards and municipal councils. The European Parliament is every 5 years. A Tweede Kamer election can come earlier if the government falls. ### Does freedom of speech mean I can say anything? No. You may give your opinion, including criticism of the government. But discrimination and threats are forbidden. ## Sources - [Rijksoverheid: which elections there are](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/overheid-en-democratie/verkiezingen/vraag-en-antwoord/verkiezingen/welke-verkiezingen-zijn-er) - [Rijksoverheid: the tasks of the Tweede Kamer](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/overheid-en-democratie/parlement/vraag-en-antwoord/parlement/welke-taken-heeft-de-tweede-kamer) - [Rijksoverheid: the Constitution (Grondwet)](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/overheid-en-democratie/grondwet-en-statuut) - [Rijksoverheid: renewed KNM exam standards, 30 June 2025](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/06/30/inburgeringsexamen-vernieuwd-extra-aandacht-voor-zelfbeschikking-vrouwen-en-kennis-holocaust) - [inburgeren.nl: the knowledge exams (KNM)](https://www.inburgeren.nl/examen-doen/inhoud-kennisexamens.jsp) Kora is an independent practice app. It is not connected to DUO, CvTE or the IND. Your own letters from DUO and your municipality decide what applies to you.