The Christian Democrats and Labour party, both falling in the opinion polls, kicked off the new political year at their respective party conferences this weekend, ahead of what are likely to be very difficult talks on further spending cuts.

The CDA, junior partner in the minority coalition, launched a new strategy which focuses on the ‘radical middle ground’ which it hopes will restore its fading fortunes in the opinion polls.
And Labour made it clear the coalition can no longer expect the PvdA to step in and support government policy if the anti-Islam PVV turns its back on the alliance over new cuts.
Strategy
The CDA’s new strategy means making clear choices, which bind the different groups in society together, the Financieele Dagblad quoted former CDA minister Aart Jan de Geus as saying.
And chairwoman Ruth Peetoom said the congress marked a step into the future for the party. ‘It’s a new spring and a new sound,’ she told delegates.
The CDA, VVD and PVV are to hold talks this spring on a new round of spending cuts, on top of the €18bn already agreed.
Resign
PvdA leader Job Cohen ended Labour’s conference by calling on prime minister Mark Rutte to resign.
‘If you are responsible for 200 people losing their jobs every day, then it is time you quit yourself,’ Cohen said at the end of the two-day conference in Den Bosch.
The current cabinet does not have the leadership to bring the Netherlands through the economic crisis, he said.
Cabinet
On Saturday, Cohen said in an interview with the Volkskrant Labour would not support the minority coalition in its efforts to make extra spending cuts, a position he reiterated on Sunday. ‘My door is closed when it comes to tough, right-wing policy, completely shut,’ he said.
Right-wing parties caused the economic crisis, he said. ‘By giving in to the market, the financial sector lost its way. And massive bonuses allowed bankers to get rich on the backs of ordinary people,’ he said.
The Liberals and Christian Democrats control 52 of the 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, but have been able to pass legislation with the help of the PVV, which has 24 seats.
Labour has 30 seats, but is currently struggling in the opinion polls, and its support for the cabinet is seen as one reason for the party’s declining popularity. Labour voted in favour of the cabinet on pension reform and the eurocrisis after the PVV said it would not support the government’s line.
Photo: Dik Hol/Novum