Wage moderation, jobless benefit cuts and an increase in the pension age are the main elements of the Christian Democratic party’s manifesto for the June general election.

The manifesto, entitled Slagvaardig en Samen (decisive and united), was published late on Monday and includes a commitment to balance the budget by 2015. This will involve spending cuts totalling €18bn over the next five years.
The party envisages achieving wage moderation by keeping civil service pay rises in line with inflation and urging the private sector to take the same line. Unemployment benefit (ww) will be cut to one year from a maximum three years two months at present.
And the controversial increase in the state pension age is also back on the cards. The CDA wants to bring in the first rise in 2015, with the final rise to 67 taking place in 2027.
The Christian Democrats also plan to cut the home affairs, justice, environment and transport ministry budgets but education will have more to spend.
Other manifesto points include: