2 April 2005
Dutch democrats?
by Charles Hugo, Sat 2 Apr 2005 11:55 pm » News
The D66 (Democrats 66) party has voted to stay in the current right-wing government coalition.
The D66 party was originally founded in 1966 on a platform of reforms to the Dutch democratic system in order to give more say to voters in how they were governed. Hans van Mierlo, one of the leading founders of the party has even claimed that "political renewal" and "radical democratization" are the sole reasons for the party's existence.
Apparently the "democrats 66" have set aside their guiding principles, because they have now voted to continue their participation in a coalition government against the wishes of 70% of the Dutch electorate.
The continued participation of D66 in the government became uncertain after the upper house of the Dutch parliament failed to agree to constitutional changes required to allow the direct election of mayors. Currently Dutch mayors are appointed by the Crown, usually on the recommendation of the city council. Mayoral reform was the main reason for D66's participation in the current coalition.
At a congress held on 2 April 2005, which was broadcast live on Dutch TV, the "democrats" decided that it was in their own and the "country's interest" not to leave the coalition. Opposition parties have said D66 is simply afraid of the voters.
The current Dutch coalition government has implemented draconian reforms of the social security system and cutbacks on public spending while reducing the highest income tax rates and corporate taxes. In polls, a large majority of Dutch voters have indicated that they have little or no confidence in the current cabinet led by prime minister Balkenende - who is disparagingly called "Harry Potter" because of his schoolboy haircut.
I shudder at the thought of another two years of this government. So far the government's policies have only made everything worse. Liberalization of the railways and electricity have only led to higher prices and worse service and muncipal rates and charges have almost doubled. Unemployment has increased, as well as bankruptcies and foreclosures. A recent poll showed that 38% of middle-class families had trouble making ends meet.
The D66 party was originally founded in 1966 on a platform of reforms to the Dutch democratic system in order to give more say to voters in how they were governed. Hans van Mierlo, one of the leading founders of the party has even claimed that "political renewal" and "radical democratization" are the sole reasons for the party's existence.
Apparently the "democrats 66" have set aside their guiding principles, because they have now voted to continue their participation in a coalition government against the wishes of 70% of the Dutch electorate.
The continued participation of D66 in the government became uncertain after the upper house of the Dutch parliament failed to agree to constitutional changes required to allow the direct election of mayors. Currently Dutch mayors are appointed by the Crown, usually on the recommendation of the city council. Mayoral reform was the main reason for D66's participation in the current coalition.
At a congress held on 2 April 2005, which was broadcast live on Dutch TV, the "democrats" decided that it was in their own and the "country's interest" not to leave the coalition. Opposition parties have said D66 is simply afraid of the voters.
The current Dutch coalition government has implemented draconian reforms of the social security system and cutbacks on public spending while reducing the highest income tax rates and corporate taxes. In polls, a large majority of Dutch voters have indicated that they have little or no confidence in the current cabinet led by prime minister Balkenende - who is disparagingly called "Harry Potter" because of his schoolboy haircut.
I shudder at the thought of another two years of this government. So far the government's policies have only made everything worse. Liberalization of the railways and electricity have only led to higher prices and worse service and muncipal rates and charges have almost doubled. Unemployment has increased, as well as bankruptcies and foreclosures. A recent poll showed that 38% of middle-class families had trouble making ends meet.
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