Populists bring down Dutch VVD led cabinet over economic recovery plan - Main contents

The Dutch populist party of Geert Wilders has, after two months of negotiations, denied to support the economic recovery plan of the Dutch Cabinet led by VVD leader Mark Rutte. The cabinet now lacks a majority in Dutch parliament and will offer its resignation to H.M. Queen Beatrix coming Monday. VVD and its coalition partner CDA (christian democrats) had agreed with the populists an austerity package last week which was however rejected in the parliamentary group of Wilders so-called Freedom Party last Saturday.

This austerity package was necessary to meet the criteria of the new fiscal treaty of the EU for a stable currency and to revitalise the Dutch economy. According to VVD floor leader Stef Block MP either Wilders is out of control of his parliamentary group or has played a double game. Wilders described the austerity package which he had initially supported as a diktat from Brussels which will destroy the life of Dutch pensioners. VVD leader in the European Parliament and LI President Hans van Baalen MEP is of the opinion that the VVD led care taker cabinet should negotiate with all parties in the Dutch parliament in order to agree on the 2013 budget which should meet all EU criteria. The future of the Euro and the interests of The Netherlands go above day to day party intererests. Probably, general elections will be held after the summer recess. A new cabinet is not expected to take office before Christmas this year.