The orthodox Christian party ChristenUnie has included spending cuts totalling €16bn in the draft version of its manifesto for the June general election.

Earlier the party had pledged to make cuts amounting to €12bn, but increased the total following last week’s civil service suggestions for how the government can raise €35bn.
‘This manifesto shows the ChristenUnie character,’ party leader André Rouvoet said at the presentation. ‘We have nothing to hide from the voter.’
Much of the planned savings would be realised through cutting the civil service apparatus and reducing bureaucracy.
The party also wants to increase the value-added tax rate from 19% to 20% until the crisis is over. ‘If it is no longer necessary, we will stop,’ Rouvoet said.
The party also wants a gradual reduction in mortgage tax relief and an increase in the state pension age from 65 to 67.
ChristenUnie is currently part of the outgoing caretaker government.