States of Zeeland

States of Zeeland Staten van Zeeland
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Chairman	Han Polman (D66) Since 1 March 2013
Structure
Seats	39
Political groups	Government (22) Christian Democratic Appeal (6) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (6) Reformed Political Party (6) Labour Party (4) Opposition (17) Socialist Party (4) Party for Freedom (4) Democrats 66 (3) ChristianUnion (2) Zeeland Local (1) Party for Zeeland (1) GreenLeft (1) 50PLUS (1)
Elections
Last election	18 March 2015
Next election	March 2019
Meeting place

Government (22)

Opposition (17)

The States of Zeeland (Dutch: Staten van Zeeland, pronounced [ˈstaːtə(n) vɑn ˈzeːlɑnt]) are the States-Provincial for the Dutch province of Zeeland. It forms the legislative body of the province. Its 39 seats are distributed every four years in provincial elections. Since 2013, it has been chaired by Han Polman (D66).

During the rule of Charles V, the States of Zeeland was made up of prelates from the area (e.g. the abbot of the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Abdij in Middelburg), the main nobles of Zeeland (the Ridderschap) and representatives of the area's six largest cities (known as pensionaries). These cities were Middelburg, Zierikzee, Goes, Reimerswaal and Tholen (with Vlissingen and Veere added after the Dutch Revolt). Decisions were taken by majority vote and the body and area were represented at the States General of the Netherlands by the Grand Pensionary of Zeeland, with this regional states (like the others) also nominating Zeeland's members of the States-General. Its executive board was known as the Gecommitteerde Raden. From 1578, these, the Zeeuwse Admiraliteitscollege and other regional representatives oversaw the Admiralty of Zeeland.