Constitutionally, the monarch is head of state and has a role in the formation of government and in the legislative process. He has to co-sign every law to make it valid. The monarch is also "ex officio" chair of the Council of State, which advises the cabinet on every piece of legislation and is the final court for administrative law. Although the current king takes these functions seriously, he refrains from exerting his power in these positions. The monarch also plays a central role in the formation of a cabinet after general elections or a cabinet crisis. Since coalition cabinets of two or more parties are the rule, this process has influence on government policy for years to come. The monarch used to appoint the "informateur" until 2012, who chairs the formation talks, after consulting the "fractievoorzitters" (parliamentary leaders) of all parties represented in the lower house of the States General. When the formation talks have been concluded the King appoints the cabinet. Because this advice is a matter of public record, the King cannot easily take a direction which is contrary to the advice of a majority in parliament. On the other hand, what is actually talked about behind the closed doors of the palace is not known. When a cabinet falls, the Prime Minister has to request the monarch to dismiss the cabinet.