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CDA manifesto: balanced budget by 2015

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Wage moderation, jobless benefit cuts and an increase in the pension age are the main elements of the Christian Democratic party's manifesto for the June general election.

The manifesto, entitled Slagvaardig en Samen (decisive and united), was published late on Monday and includes a commitment to balance the budget by 2015. This will involve spending cuts totalling €18bn over the next five years.

The party envisages achieving wage moderation by keeping civil service pay rises in line with inflation and urging the private sector to take the same line. Unemployment benefit (ww) will be cut to one year from a maximum three years two months at present.

And the controversial increase in the state pension age is also back on the cards. The CDA wants to bring in the first rise in 2015, with the final rise to 67 taking place in 2027.

The Christian Democrats also plan to cut the home affairs, justice, environment and transport ministry budgets but education will have more to spend.

Other manifesto points include:

Public transport in Amsterdam, the Hague and Rotterdam out to tender

Continuation of JSF fighter jet programme but fewer jets on order

0.7% of gdp to remain development aid target

Parts of fast-track planning law to become permanent

Special community service for young offenders

Speedier deportation of criminal foreigners

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Readers' comments

Well why not kick the people who are struggeling to find a job when there is a world recession, virtually no jobs in the East at this time and record company closures! Hit the tax payers when they are down, this is a very below the belt plan in these times, I can rightly understand this attitude when jobs are plentiful but what does this party stand for? And they call themselves Christian Democarts as well, what is Christian about these plans at this time. A disgrace and I hope that the public will reflect this in their votes shortly.

By Andy | March 30, 2010 5:54 PM

About as credible as the incredible can be.

By Vogon Poet | March 30, 2010 7:57 PM

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