What is the day of accountability?

"Dag der verantwoording" (also called "Verantwoordingsdag" or "Gehaktdag") is the day on which the Dutch government accounts for the financial policy of the previous year on the third Wednesday in May.

On this day, the Minister of Finance presents the annual reports for the past budget year to the Tweede Kamer. The Algemene Rekenkamer publishes its reports with these annual reports, and the Tweede Kamer checks whether the budgets have been executed in line with the agreements made on Prinsjesdag. Because Members of Parliament often strongly criticise the policy pursued and try to dissect the policy, the day is mockingly called "gehaktdag" or "woensdag gehaktdag".

Gehaktdag is an important moment in the budget cycle because it provides insight into how well the government has performed and where improvements are needed.