In Germany and Austria, the Chancellor submits a government policy statement (Regierungserklärung) at the beginning of the session of the Bundestag (in Austria: Nationalrat), in which they announces the intended policies of the government during the next legislative session.
The statement is not legally binding, but is a significant constitutional commitment for the parliament and the government.
In Belgium, the federal government holds its policy statement (Beleidsverklaring) on the second Wednesday in October; its northern region of Flanders states its September Declaration (Septemberverklaring) on the fourth Monday of September.
In the Netherlands, every third Tuesday in September is Prinsjesdag: the king holds the Speech from the throne (Troonrede) and the government will state its policy and budget plans in the Budget Memorandum (Miljoenennota) for the next year.
When a new government coalition has been formed after elections, the Prime Minister will make a similar statement (Regeringsverklaring) for the four year legislative period it intends to run the country.