The Netherlands National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations IV Coordination and decision-making at political/administrative level 1. In the event of a situation in which national security is (or may be) at risk or which has (or may have) serious consequences for society, central government can take political responsibility for coordination and decision-making. Under article 25, paragraph 1 of the Rules of Procedure for the Cabinet10, the Ministerial Crisis Management Committee (MCMC) can be convened in such situations.11 5. Any minister or state secretary may request that the Minister of Security and Justice convene a meeting of the MCMC. The chair of the MCMC decides on the request in consultation with the Prime Minister (= the Minister of General Affairs) and with the minister or state secretary with primary responsibility for the matter at hand. 2. The MCMC will: -- assess the situation; -- take decisions, possibly on the ICMC’s recommendations; -- consider the national and international political consequences of decisions or proposals; -- discuss recommendations made to the Cabinet and other tiers of government; -- establish strategic frameworks; -- inform the States General; -- draw up instructions for the civil service; -- establish policy frameworks for public information materials and announcements; -- determine the structure and frequency of meetings. 6. After consulting the Prime Minister (= the Minister of General Affairs), the chair determines which other ministers will be MCMC members on a case-by-case and, if necessary, meetingby-meeting basis. The chair may allow state secretaries to attend meetings in an advisory capacity in so far as the matters discussed are directly related to their duties. All other ministers will be informed that the MCMC has been convened and what its composition is. 3. Permanent members of the MCMC are the Prime Minister (= the Minister of General Affairs), and the Minister of Security and Justice. 4. The Minister of Security and Justice acts as chair of the MCMC unless the Prime Minister (= the Minister of General Affairs) assumes that role. 10 Last amended by Decree of 28 April 1998, Bulletin of Acts and Decrees 305. 11 Ministerial Crisis Management (Establishment) Order 2016 (Government Gazette 2016, 48258). 7. Provided the MCMC’s chair grants permission in advance, ministers or state secretaries may be assisted by a civil servant during a meeting. The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (the chair of the ICMC) and a representative at DG level of the ministry with primary responsibility will attend the MCMC’s meetings as permanent advisers. Meetings will also be attended by the spokesperson/director of communication of the ministry with primary responsibility and/or the head of the National Core Team for Crisis Communication. At the Prime Minister’s request, a representative of the Netherlands Government Information Service will also attend the MCMC’s meetings. 8. In order to coordinate and take decisions on a particular subject, experts can attend meetings if invited by the chair following consultation with the minister or state secretary most 19