Nov 6, 2023 at 12:43 AM Update: an hour ago
Pieter Omtzigt (New Social Contract), Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) and Frans Timmermans (PvdA-GL) entered into a heated debate on Sunday evening during the RTL broadcast about the elections. The differences became clear in areas such as social security and immigration.
This time the gloves were taken off by Yesilgöz, Omtzigt and Timmermans.
When the three party leaders met for the first time two weeks ago, the interaction was somewhat awkward and there was no fierce debate.
That was different now RTL previously called ‘the prime minister’s debate’.
This quickly became clear when Timmermans argued for a millionaires’ tax and higher taxes for companies to pay a higher minimum wage. The GL-PvdA leader talked about “a sacrifice” by the richest in the Netherlands.
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For Yesilgöz, that is not the way to fight poverty. According to her, contributions have already been requested in recent years from people with high incomes and from companies. Moreover, the VVD member does not like the term “sacrifice”. She thinks that would only pit people against each other. “As if that would lift even one child out of poverty.”
Yesilgöz fears that Timmermans will “burden the economy to pieces” with his plans. She recalled that the PvdA wanted to tax companies for more than 40 billion extra during the previous elections two years ago. Timmermans reacted with irritation. “Talk,” he said.
Omtzigt aligned himself more with the VVD on this subject. “I don’t feel comfortable with threatened tax increases.”
Timmermans slightly disappointed in Omtzigt
Although Timmermans and Omtzigt agree on how they want to ensure better social security, there are also differences between the New Social Contract (NSC) and PvdA-GL.
Omtzigt does not want to simply increase the minimum wage in advance and shuns higher taxes for companies and wealthy Dutch people. He fears the possible side effects.
For example, if the minimum wage in the Netherlands is much higher than in Spain, it is more difficult to compete with that country. In the long term, the economy could suffer greatly from this, according to Omtzigt.
Timmermans responded: “With you, the strongest shoulders do not carry the heaviest burdens. I think that is a great pity.”
No applause for Omtzigt’s target figure for migration
The debate became somewhat fiercer on the subject of migration. Some parties are talking about a maximum number. A complicated point, because countries are bound by international treaties for asylum seekers and have to deal with the rules of the European Union for migrant workers.
Omtzigt has included a “guide number” of 50,000 immigrants per year in its program. That plan met with little approval from the other party leaders.
“Just stating a number without measures is cheap,” Yesilgöz said. A “bad idea” and a “promise that you cannot keep,” Timmermans thought.
The VVD does not officially mention a maximum number, but Yesilgöz is considering that option. As far as her party is concerned, the number of immigrants must be significantly reduced.
Concrete proposals are still to come, the VVD member said. For example, consideration should be given to simplifying family reunification. Timmermans responded to that. “You are tearing families apart,” he said towards Yesilgöz. To which the VVD leader replied: “That has not been proposed and that is not allowed by Europe. As a country you can impose conditions on family reunification.”
Omtzigt and Yesilgöz have not spoken out about collaboration
It is still difficult to predict what the political landscape will look like after the elections on November 22. If only because Omtzigt does not want to say whether he wants to become prime minister if NSC becomes the largest party.
Omtzigt and Yesilgöz are also keeping their cards close to their chest with whom they would prefer to be in a coalition. “That is up to the voter,” said the VVD leader. Even when asked whether she would rather work with a left-wing or right-wing party, there was no answer.
Omtzigt repeated his earlier answer that he sees similarities with his party in both the VVD and PvdA-GL. Timmermans is clear in that respect. Better with NSC than VVD.
2023-11-05 23:43:42
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