The result of the Dutch parliamentary elections will affect the country’s future position in the EU / Article / LSM.lv

The outcome of the Dutch parliamentary elections will affect the country’s future place in the EUUģis Lībietis00:00 / 06:11

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The Netherlands is one of the first EU countries to choose to host a Covid-19 pandemic parliamentary elections. The need for them arose only at the beginning of this year, after the so-called child benefit scandal. At the time, it was revealed that between 2013 and 2019, the Dutch Revenue Service had falsely accused some 26,000 families of fraudulently claiming benefits, repaying thousands of euros and plunging many into debt. The scandal cost taxpayers around € 500 million and led to the resignation of Social Affairs Minister Lodevijk Asker and the long-running coalition. the fall of the government.

Opinion polls show that the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, led by former Prime Minister Mark Rite, has the best chance of winning elections and gaining the most votes. This would secure Ritem’s fourth term as prime minister, even in the face of growing public dissatisfaction with Covid-19 crisis management and the introduction of komandantstundu. The government has received the most criticism for such a policy from the right-wing populist Freedom Party, led by Geert Wilders, which is, by the way, the second most popular party in the Netherlands. In a televised debate among party leaders, Rite spoke quite sharply to his rival Wilders, with whom he tried to work together in government in 2012.

“You have escaped at the height of the economic crisis. Mr Wilders, you are angry that I did not include you in government. I personally wish you many seats, although I do not wish it to the Netherlands. If I have to sit at a table and choose whether to work with you, I won’t. You are not able to admit your mistakes, even though you should. This would make you a stronger leader. But you went to the hottest point of the crisis. You chose to bring the Netherlands into the pre-election campaign instead of taking responsibility. I’m still here, but you’re not. And I’m angry about it. This is not a responsible action by a Dutch politician, ”said Rite.

Due to the proportional electoral system, it is possible that the Freedom Party could become even the largest party in the Dutch parliament, but the chances of anyone wanting to join a coalition with Wilders are very slim. But Wilders is not hiding his dislike of the EU institutions in this election campaign either.

He said: “As politicians, we each want the best for the Netherlands in our own way. We want to make the Netherlands better and stronger. We do this not only for today’s people, but also for future generations, today’s children. And my slogan is “Freedom again!” I hope that in the future we will be able to make the Netherlands a free country where everyone can choose their own job or curriculum. Where everyone will be able to choose when and with whom to start their family. But most importantly – where you can be yourself and say what you want. May the Netherlands remain a free country in the future. “

Along with criticizing the government, the possible withdrawal of the Netherlands from the EU is also a topical topic of political debate, even though the country is one of the founders of the union. Although some commentators believe that Dutch European optimism is still very high and that there is no basis for the so-called “Nexita”, there is certainly room for debate about the role of the state in Europe. According to Maria Demertzis, deputy director of the Brussels think tank Bruegel, such discussions have been facilitated by Brexit.

‘The departure of the United Kingdom means that the Netherlands has lost an important ally, as the country has always looked west when deciding how to run a business or get involved politically. With the departure of the British, a very influential voice has also disappeared in European affairs. The consent of Germany and France is now needed for things to move forward in the European Union. That is why there are concerns that the views of other countries will not be heard. And the Netherlands wants others to be heard, ”explained Demertzis.

Lux Molthof, a researcher at the Klingendal Institute of Foreign Policy in the Netherlands, who studied party pre-election programs, found that most parties were still seeking a stronger European voice in tackling various challenges.

He concluded: “The coronavirus pandemic has shown that we need Europe to meet these challenges. I think the Dutch Government has also realized that we simply need a European response on issues such as climate change or migration. All this is felt in party programs, but not much is said publicly during the campaign. Probably precisely because we have these Eurosceptic parties. Many politicians, especially center-right parties, are afraid to talk about Europe because it can cost them the votes. In addition, some center-right parties are trying to be strong enough, for example, on fiscal discipline in the eurozone. And that course is likely to remain the same. ”

It should be recalled that last year the Netherlands, together with Austria, Denmark and Sweden, earned the nickname of a stingy or frugal four, long delay Adoption of the EU budget and the Covid-19 recovery fund. The Hague has repeatedly emphasized that its main aim is to use funds responsibly and wisely, but the Quartet has been accused of being too frugal, insensitive and unwilling to compromise.

Polls suggest that the current coalition in the Netherlands is unlikely to be possible anymore and left-wing center-right parties could replace it. But commentators warn that for many parties, acting in government could also mean a loss of popularity and voter votes in the future.

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