Inverted flags encourage CDA to search for dissatisfaction

In the run-up to the Provincial Council elections, the ruling party CDA is coming up with plans to combat inequality. This inequality is a major cause of dissatisfaction among citizens, both in the city and in the countryside, the party concludes.

“The year 2022 was the year of the inverted flags. In our search for what is behind this, we came to the conclusion that the Netherlands has become unbalanced,” says party leader Heerma in a conversation with NOS.

The party notes that there are large differences in prosperity between certain urban and rural areas. But there is also inequality within the Randstad. Small municipalities there are struggling to maintain their own facilities. And poor neighborhoods can be found in prosperous cities, the party says.

Heerma: “This is due to excessive individualization. The market predominates. Places where things were already going well became increasingly richer. Places where people left, received less and less. This leads to a sense of injustice among citizens.”

The CDA distances itself from this self-determined path. The neoliberal era of market and yield thinking is over For the whole of the Netherlands. Heerma thinks it is logical to change course as a political party if that is better for the country.

The party proposes targeted investments in the east and north of the country and in the province of Zeeland. Cities need to become greener. Scarce space must be distributed more fairly. And if there is not enough space, there is no taboo on reclamation or the construction of a whole new city.

Heerma also thinks ‘transport poverty’ is a major problem. The money should not always go to the Randstad:

The CDA wants to set up a ‘Community fund’ to allow residential areas in the region to retain their facilities. With the money, village houses, local shops or sports facilities can be maintained. In the cities, the city council must reserve money for citizens’ initiatives in order to increase involvement.

The CDA currently sits on the boards of all provinces except North Holland. Heerma does not know whether these new intentions will help the CDA in the elections on 15 March. “It is my conviction that there must be a change. If that is translated into voter favour, that is a nice bonus.”

The CDA members will meet on Saturday for a conference and the kick-off of the election campaign.