List of Dutch (in)formateurs and scouts

Informateurs, formateurs and scouts have served in a Dutch cabinet formation since 1848. The roles are often filled by members of the largest party.

The role of formateur has existed since the first cabinet formation in 1848. In general, formateurs are instructed to form a cabinet. The (final) formateur is often the intended prime minister. However, some formateurs were instructed to do preliminary work. Before 2017, it was customary for a formateur not to accept the assignment immediately, but to consider it until the formateur believes there is certainty that the cabinet can be formed.

In 1951, a separate role was created for the preliminary work; the informateur. Since that year, there has not been a formation without an informateur, although this has been attempted five times. Since 1989, the initial informateur is tasked with quickly exploring cabinet possibilities. This was turned into a separate role in 2012, the scout, because since that year the monarch no longer has a role in the formation and thus no longer does the consultations after the elections. The (in)formateurs and scouts have since then been appointed by the House of Representatives. With the introduction of the scout and the informateur, the formateur has since 1982 mainly been concerned with finding the personnel of the cabinet.