What stands between the VVD and PvdA?
Friday 14 September 2012
Prime minister Mark Rutte admitted on Friday it will be complicated to form a coalition between the right-wing Liberals and the social democratic PvdA. A look at the main differences:
Healthcare
The PvdA wants to reverse the introduction of market forces and competition into heathcare and does not belief healthcare institutions should be driven by profit motives. It also says health insurance premiums should be income-related.
The VVD wants to increase the use of market mechanisms in healthcare, to allow hospitals to take on private investors and to increase competition between providers.
Mortgage tax relief
The VVD does not want to make any changes to tax deductions for current mortgages but agreed in the spring austerity talks the tax break on new mortgages should be limited to repayment schemes. Rutte said during the campaign that current mortgages are safe with him.
The PvdA wants to reduce the tax break on all mortgages gradually from the current maximum 52% to a maximum 30%.
State pension age
Both parties agree on the necessity to put up the state pension age from 65 to 67. The VVD wants to complete this by around 2020, the PvdA by 2025.
Eurozone budget deficit rules
The VVD wants to meet the 3% maximum budget deficit in 2013, the PvdA does not agree with meeting this target whatever the cost.
Redundancy reform
The spring austerity agreement included plans to make it easier for employers to sack staff and to cut golden handshakes. The PvdA, and the unions, are strongly opposed to the plans.
Taxes
The PvdA wants to reverse the planned October increase in value added tax (btw) from 19% to 21%. The VVD is against this.
The PvdA wants to increase the top rate of income tax to 60%. The VVD is opposed.
Development aid
The VVD election manifesto called for major cuts in development aid. The PvdA wants to stick to the international agreement of 0.7% of GDP and says lowering this is unacceptable.
Immigration
The VVD has consistently opposed an amnesty for young asylum seekers who have lived in the Netherlands for so long they have become rooted in the country. The PvdA backs a one-off legalisation process.
Points where the two parties agree
The government’s books should be balanced by 2017
Student grants should be abolished
High earners in social housing should pay more rent
Civil servants who refuse to carry out gay marriages should be removed
There should be no extra controls from Brussels on national budgets.
Will they manage to form a coalition? Share your thoughts in the comments box below
© DutchNews.nl
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I dont think they will make it with the 2 of them. It seems logic to add D66 to the coalition.
By Mike brouwer | 14 September 2012 10:47 AMI suppose they will form a coalition, other the alternative is....?
What I don't understand is this political system which allows you to vote for a party on their policies, then said party forms a coalition with the one other major party, and both proceed to negotiate these policies! Why not just dispense with the election and go straight to the coalition table? Doesn't seem like democracy to me.
By GS | 14 September 2012 12:23 PMI think if they are all welling to put aside party difference and pull together to do what is best for the people it can work . In ALL relationships to make it work BOTH PARTIES have to give and take and do what is best for Dutch people.
By Dee | 14 September 2012 12:45 PM@GS, what part is not democratic? The Dutch parliament is chosen by proportional representation without a threshold. Parties that have a majority together can form a government. Bigger parties have more influence then smaller parties. The only thing more democratic is a referendum.
By pepe | 14 September 2012 2:53 PM@GS: A left coalition is the an alternative (PvdA, SP, CDA en D66), though I think it would be very weak and I don't favour it myself
By the_expat | 14 September 2012 4:18 PMWhat stands between the VVD and PvdA?
About the same as Feyenoord and Ajax supporters: both parties assume they are better than the other..tribalism duh, and no end in sight. :P
"The only thing that can save mankind is cooperation." (Bertrand Russel.)
let's hope they have their thinking caps on & no repeat of the last guv formation!
By The visitor | 14 September 2012 7:34 PMThis result will only expedite the socio-economical downfall and ultimate system crash.
These are the same political players who delivered you into the hands of the Eurocracy. If you vote for same-old, this is what you get. But perhaps it is better to expedite the coming of the unavoidable. At least the rebuilding from the ashes can begin sooner.
By Raoul Machal | 15 September 2012 12:29 AMHi,
By Terence Hale | 15 September 2012 4:24 AMWhat stands between the VVD and PvdA? Be carful ! If both party’s make compromises you could end up with a stable government.
I can not believe the dutch people did not even question the last goverments(Rutte) role in destroying the country of Libya. They have to be considered war criminals for there participation in an illegal war, the dutch sheeple do not even know they were in a war of aggresion, Unbeievable!
By tim | 15 September 2012 7:01 AMtim, who cares that much about Libya, honestly? It was a short operation that removed a hostile 40-year dictatorship that had been crippled by an internal revolt. Quick fix by NATO, that is what a military alliance is about.
By Andre L. | 17 September 2012 4:04 PM