About the CPG

Objectives of the CPG

The Centre for Parliamentary History conducts academic research in the field of the parliamentary history of the Netherlands after 1945. The CPG's core tasks include the publication of the Parliamentary History of the Netherlands after 1945 series (Serie Parlementaire Geschiedenis van Nederland na 1945), which is considered standard literature in the field. With the research Yearbook Parliamentary History (Jaarboek Parlementaire Geschiedenis), the CPG aims to raise interest in Dutch parliamentary history in as wide a circle as possible by providing historical clarification on a current political or social issue. The Yearbook contains academic and opinion articles, mostly on current topics or events, as well as book reviews, a chronicle of the past parliamentary year, personal documents and obituaries of recently deceased prominent politicians.

The CPG also specialises in the genre of political biography, it published several biographies of Dutch prime ministers. In addition, it possesses considerable knowledge of the formation of coalition governments in the Netherlands.

Besides academic research, the CPG also teaches parliamentary history and frequently speaks to the press about the background of current political issues.

Collaborations

The CPG is one of the five initiators of the Montesquieu Institute, is affiliated with the Political History Research School, participates in the Hotspot Sustainable Democracy and is a co-founder of the European Information and Research Network on Parliamentary History (EuParl.Net).

Administrative organisation

In 1971, Prof F.J.F.M. Duynstee founded the CPG. The CPG was initially housed within the Faculty of Law. From 1986, the costs of the CPG were borne jointly by the Catholic University Nijmegen Foundation and the Parliamentary History Foundation established in that year. The Scientific Council, consisting of four members appointed by both foundations, has the task of contributing to shaping scientific policy. Since 1 January 1997, the CPG has been part of the Faculty of Arts.

Parliamentary History Foundation

The Board of the Parliamentary History Foundation is composed as follows:

• Mr. Th.C de Graaf, Vice-President of the Council of State (until 1-1-2024), Chairperson
• Mr Drs I.K. van Engelshoven (as of 1-1-2024), Chairperson
• Dr R.S. Zwart, Secretary/Treasurer
• P.E. Heerma, Former Member of the CDA parliamentary group, member
• Drs. S.Th.H. Hermans, Member of the VVD parliamentary group, member
• P. Rosenmöller, Chairperson of the Senate Group of GroenLinks/PvdA, member
• G.C. van der Staaij, Former Member of the SGP parliamentary group, member

Scientific Council

The Scientific Council is composed as follows:

• Prof. mr. P.P.T. Bovend'Eert, Professor of Constitutional Law, Radboud University Nijmegen, Chairperson
• Prof. dr. R.A. Koole, Professor of Political Science, in particular, Dutch Politics and its Institutional Development, Leiden University, member
• Prof. dr. W.P. van Meurs, Professor of Political History, Radboud University Nijmegen, member
• Prof. dr. G. Voerman, Documentation Centre Director for Dutch Political Parties, Professor of Development and Functioning of the Dutch and European Party System, University of Groningen, member
• Prof. C.T. van Ham, Professor of Empirical Political Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, member

Annual Accounts and Reports

• Annual report SPG 2022
• Annual accounts SPG 2022
• Annual report CPG 2022

Education

CPG staff regularly provide teaching. These include lectures within Radboud University's Bachelor's and Master's programmes in History, especially in the multidisciplinary one-year Master's specialisation in Politics & Parliament. In addition, the CPG offers students the opportunity to do an internship. For further information, please contact Internship Coordinator Alexander van Kessel.

Master's specialisation Politics and Parliament