The Netherlands Antilles, and since 1986, Aruba, enjoy considerable self-government while remaining as integral parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which has responsibility for defence and foreign affairs only. Both dependencies have a 'Minister Plenipotentiary' in the Dutch Cabinet in the Hague, with full voting powers over 'joint affairs' (ie: defence and foreign affairs), in the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom.

The Queen of the Netherlands is represented in each dependency by a Governor, who is a local resident, with real power residing in the Council of Ministers, headed by a Prime Minister, and the local Staten or parliament.

The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba do not have direct representation in the Staten Generaal or parliament in the Hague, although as members of the European Union, they have full representation in the European Parliament. However, when the Staten Generaal legislates for the entire Netherlands realm, the Staten in each dependency sends delegates to furnish debates in both the First Chamber (upper house) and Second Chamber (lower house) of the Staten Generaal.

If the Minister Plenipotentiary disapproves of the draft legislation, and it does not have a three-fifths majority in the
Second Chamber, then the matter is referred to the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom.