Ministers and Cabinet Decision-Making

The chapter analyses the character of the cabinet as a decision-making body. The ministers fulfil two primary tasks in parliamentary governments and these two tasks are, in certain extent, contradictory. First, with the exception of ministers without portfolio and the prime minister, they each head the department and, in this capacity, they have to address the issues and defend the interests of their department. Secondly, they belong to the cabinet as a „collective“ body and therefore, contribute to solving those problems which are faced by the entire government.