More cuts needed, coalition deal to be renegotiated: RTL news

The Christian Democrats, right-wing VVD Liberals and anti-Islam PVV are to renegotiate part of their coalition agreement in the spring because of the economic downturn, sources have told RTL news.


The crisis means the government will have to make extra savings of up to €4bn, on top of the €18bn agreed in last year’s coalition deal, RTL quotes reliable sources as saying.
‘This is being talked about in the CDA and VVD office areas,’ RTL’s political reporter Lotte Ragut said. ‘Secret special groups have been formed to discuss where the money can be found.’
Savings
Possible areas where money can be easily raised include changes to mortgage tax relief, a reduction in unemployment benefit, healthcare cuts and a faster rise in the state pension age, RTL suggests.
But all these are likely to prove difficult for the PVV, which is not part of the government but has agreed to support its economic policies in return for tough immigration laws.
Party leader Geert Wilders said in September 2012 would be the ‘year of truth’ for the coalition alliance. ‘We intend to sit this coalition out, but not at any price. We are not going to accept everything,’ he said, before describing the alliance as a ‘marriage of convenience’.
March
He also warned the cabinet that future cuts should not hurt Henk and Ingrid, the names Wilders gives to the average man and woman.
Finance minister Jan Kees de Jager said at the end of September ministers will decide in March if the government needs to make extra cuts to keep the state finances on track.

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