Cabinet's European policy should reflect new-look parliament

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Pro-European parties in parliament believe the caretaker cabinet should adopt a more pro-Brussels approach given the views of a majority of MPs elected in the September general election, the NRC reports.

The D66 Liberal Democrats and, to a lesser extent, Labour both want the cabinet to change its position on the EU budget which president Herman van Rompuy will present on Friday, the NRC says.

Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal has already stated he plans to continue the tough line on spending adopted by the outgoing government. The Netherlands has campaigned for a €100bn reduction in the European Commission's spending plans.

Meanwhile, Nos television says the Labour party wants the new cabinet to make reducing farm subsidies a 'top priority' in the ongoing EU budget negotiations.

Labour and the right-wing VVD are currently in talks on forming a new government and policy on Europe is likely to be one of the more difficult aspects of the negotiations.

© DutchNews.nl