22
Jun
2022
Watch
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
President, in 2012 the Rutte II cabinet took office in the Netherlands. There was surprise abroad, because how could a prime minister who made the election promise to respect European budgetary standards be re-elected? $16 billion has been cut and increased. The AOW age was increased faster, the mortgage interest deduction limited. Excise duties on fuel have resulted in the highest prices in the EU. The labour market, care, education, every sector was affected, but the Dutch were told ‘after the sour, it comes sweet, because it has to come from Europe’. And what did we see last week, when the ECB indicated that it would raise interest rates by just 25 basis points? Member States in financial difficulties. Can anyone explain this to the Dutch? How is it possible that debt in southern Europe has risen further? How can this be justified against the Dutch? Something is brewing in the Netherlands, a sense of injustice. If you're not careful, Europe's self-proclaimed frontrunner turns into a head-faster.