Minister of State

Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under the parliamentary system. A "minister of state" is usually a junior minister, who is either listed as a member of the cabinet or assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister. However in some nations a "minister of state" is a holder of a more senior position, such as a cabinet minister or even a head of government.

Related Topics:
Parliamentary system - Minister - Cabinet - Head of government

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• Canada: A Minister of State is senior to a Secretary of State but junior to a Minister of the Crown, or normal minister. See Ministers of State in Canada.
• France: Minister of State (Ministre d'État) is a honorific title bestowed during his nomination on a minister of particular importance. It is not to be mistaken for a Secretary of State (Secrétaire d'État), a junior minister assisting a minister and who may only attend cabinet meeting if the topic discussed touches his responsibilities.
• Republic of Ireland: A Minister of State is junior to a Minister of a Department of State or normal minister and of similar standing to a Parliamentary Secretary. See Ministers of State in the Republic of Ireland.
• Japan: Minister of State is the title borne by all members of the Japanese Cabinet.
• Monaco: The chief of government, subordinate to the Prince of Monaco and responsible for enforcing the principality's laws. See Minister of State of Monaco.
• United Kingdom: A Minister of State is junior to a Secretary of State but senior to a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. Ministers of State are responsible to their Secretaries of State.
• Spain: During the time servin Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo as Prime Minister of Spain (1981-1982), Ministers of State were created which held a more distinct position within the government. However this initiative did not last since his succesors did not follow this path.
• In Belgium and the Netherlands , Minister of State is a title of honour (declared by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands). It is given in exceptional cases to politicians. A Minister of State advises the queen in certain situations, and can also be asked for advice by others on constitutional issues.

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