Dark clouds threaten government coalition after return from summer recess

Prosperity loss threatens now that the Netherlands is struggling with several crises. More decisiveness is required from the cabinet.

When the party leaders of VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie meet again on Thursday for the first time after the holidays, there is more to discuss than the annual run-up to Prinsjesdag. The coalition parties under Rutte IV are the same as under Rutte III, but the mutual balance is precarious partly due to the difficult formation and the constellation under which they have to operate is completely different.

The country is burdened with unease. Cosmopolitans versus ‘the Netherlands dropped out’, the gulf between city and countryside are themes that are becoming increasingly apparent. The cabinet formed from the forming parties will have to act more decisively than it did in the first eight months. In view of the coming budget cycle, a number of crises require an answer.

First of all, the parties will have to look for possible room to move in the nitrogen dossier. After the first consultation with LTO Nederland, the largest farmers’ interest group, Prime Minister Rutte stuck to the agreements from the coalition agreement. D66 faction leader Paternotte also gives no reason to think that his party is prepared to offer major assistance.

Discussion leader Remkes hopes for a second meeting at the end of August and has handed out ‘homework’. Whether that will lead to solutions remains to be seen. The farmers are threatening ‘the toughest actions ever’, which will not contribute to the recovery of the ‘deep crisis of confidence’ that Remkes noted. How does he break through the mutual obstinacy?

The government is struggling with political-administrative incapacity on several fronts. It is not possible to get the influx and reception of asylum seekers in order. Imposing coercion on municipalities has been announced a number of times, but not yet a practice and in fact a sign of weakness. The fact that fifteen thousand status holders cannot get the house to which they are entitled, and that many first-time buyers also misunderstand, makes it painfully clear that the problems in the housing market require an approach that requires more than what has been achieved so far.

Few could foresee the war in Ukraine, but the Russian invasion is fueling society’s murmurs with much more expensive groceries and Europe’s highest energy prices. The reduced energy tax does not help many households enough. The Central Planning Bureau will release new estimates on purchasing power next Friday. Then the entire cabinet will be back, in the knowledge that provincial elections are awaiting 15 March. The land is in need of maintenance.