ChristenUnie does not want to return to the Netherlands before corona

The ChristenUnie no longer wants to return to the Netherlands before the corona crisis. Things have to change, the party writes in the draft election program Choosing what really counts. And those choices are: better care for each other and for creation and an economy that revolves around people, not just money and large companies.

Party leader Gert-Jan Segers refers in an explanation to the first corona wave. “Then there was concern for each other, then people looked at each other. And we noticed how pleasant it is when you live in such a society. In my opinion, that is the Netherlands after corona.”

To achieve this, the ChristenUnie wants, among other things, the change tax system. The surcharges should be canceled according to the party. Instead, households should be able to get a tax credit that depends on the number of people.

Basic jobs and kilometer charge

The party wants the salaries of health workers, police officers and teachers to go up. There should also be a fund with 100 million euros to support social initiatives and volunteer projects. Arrangements for informal carers must be broadened. As far as the ChristenUnie is concerned, there will be 50,000 ‘basic jobs’ for people on welfare.

In order to spare nature, the ChristenUnie wants to limit the number of night flights. The bicycle and public transport must become the main means of transport for the short distance. And there should be a kilometer charge for car use; in the city you pay more than in areas with little public transport.

Furthermore, the party, like many other parties, wants the minimum wage to be increased and the student loan system to be exchanged for a basic grant. “Those are promises that you hear resonate widely,” says Segers. “So you can assume that we will be really successful with that.”

‘Price for co-government up’

Elections are next March. The ChristenUnie now has five seats in the Lower House and is the smallest government party. Segers hopes for growth and is aiming for seven seats. “That’s a nice biblical number.” He had previously stated that his price to sit back in a cabinet will be higher.

As far as the party is concerned, more account must be taken of medical-ethical ideals such as ‘aging with dignity’. During the formation of the current cabinet, the ChristenUnie clashed with D66 about this. That party believes that elderly people who have finished their lives should be able to get help with suicide.

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