The budget shows how much the government has achieved, said Maxime Verhagen, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDA). ‘We have the lowest unemployment rate in Europe and we lead the way in terms of economic growth,’ Verhagen said. ‘We have a budget surplus, while all around countries are wrestling with deficits.’

Ruling Liberals see budget as ‘historic’Liberal (VVD) leader Mark Rutte said the budget was historic. It was, he said, the first time since WWII that hundreds of thousands of people had stopped claiming benefits and started working.
PvdA dismissive of ‘promo’ approach
The Queen’s speech was often little more than a promo, Labour (PvdA) leader Wouter Bos told RTL4 Nieuws. “The Queen is the Queen of all the Dutch and could have paid more attention to those with little money or who have lost their jobs.
Socialists say budget is ‘propaganda’
Budget day is propaganda day for this cabinet’s policies, said Socialist Party leader Jan Marijnissen. He said the growth in the Dutch economy was due to world economic growth, rather than the cabinet.
GroenLinks welcomes international focus
Femke Halsema, leader of the green party GroenLinks, told BNR Nieuwsradio she welcomed the emphasis on international issues in the Queen’s speech, but said it was short on substance. ‘It was only good news, there were no policies. There was nothing said you could actually disagree with.’