Dutch businessmen and women do not feel the current government or their own employer organisations properly represent them, according to TNS-Nipo research for the Financieele Dagblad.

The average mark awarded the centre-right cabinet by the 1,700 employers questioned was 5.4 – or ‘insufficient’ – the paper said.
In particular, employers miss determination and a clear long-term vision. They also feel the cabinet is being held back in its ambitions by the alliance with the anti-immigration PVV.
Consumer spending
In particular, ministers should do more to stimulate the jobs market and to get consumers spending again. Lower taxes and a brake on immigration – both central to the PVV’s position – are the least important elements, employers said.
The survey also showed a large number of employers do not feel they are well-represented by the two main business federations VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland.
This is a trend which also applies to trade unions and political parties, the paper says.