Attje Kuiken and Jesse Klaver are shocked that the VVD alludes to cutbacks. That is definitely a red line for the leaders of the PvdA and GroenLinks respectively, they say in conversation with NU.nl. “We are doing everything necessary to prevent cuts.”
Today PvdA and GroenLinks jointly kick off the campaign in Zeeland for the Provincial Council elections, which will eventually elect the Senate.
All trends in the polls indicate that the coalition of VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie will not achieve a majority. This means that the cabinet needs the opposition for its plans, just as has been the case for the past four years.
Kuiken and Klaver hope to strengthen their position of power now that their parties will form a joint parliamentary group in the senate for the first time in history.
What is your common goal?
Jugs: “The coalition parties will lose and the left can become the largest. We want a change of course for the things that we consider important. Affordable housing, fair sharing of wealth, a green future.”
“We see that the VVD has been hinting at cuts for months. So be honest and open about that. Edith Schippers (leader of the VVD list for the Senate, ed.) Says that every ministry can do with a little less. I want to be able to see that .”
“We sorted it out ourselves, because that is simply stated in their election programme. The VVD wants to cut back on social security, benefits and rent and healthcare benefits, among other things. That affects the low and middle incomes. In total, it is almost 7 billion euros.”
Piano: “There are now threats of additional cuts. Then we say: wait a minute, that is not in the coalition agreement.”
“The coalition is already planning to cut back on youth care, nursing home care and social assistance. The effect is that less money goes to the elderly or children in care. That is unacceptable. We cannot discuss that with us.”
If there are cutbacks in a department, will you then no longer participate in anything at all?
Piano: “We do everything necessary to prevent cuts. That starts with arguments and alternatives. But if the coalition does come up with a cut, we are ultimately prepared to vote against laws and budgets.”
You are pushing the coalition into the arms of the right-wing opposition.
Piano: “That is why these elections are so important. If we have as many seats as possible, the coalition depends on us.”
Even then. If there are cutbacks, isn’t the way to the right open if you don’t want to work together?
Piano: “There is no need to cut costs. That is an ideological choice.”
I understand that you do not cooperate with any cuts. But by doing so you sideline yourself and force the coalition to do business with the right.
Jugs: “Let me put it another way. If the Netherlands votes socially and therefore for us, then we can make other proposals.”
Piano: “It is the responsibility of the coalition. Make no mistake, the VVD also wants to talk about the right, because VVD members want to do right-wing things.”
This coalition has worked more with you than with right-wing parties.
Piano: “Correct. But if they get the chance, they would prefer to look to the right. We worked together because we wanted a price ceiling for energy prices and because we wanted to increase the state pension. We succeeded.”
What is the alternative to austerity?
Piano: “Simple. We opt for higher profit tax and higher tax for millionaires.”
Jugs: “We are also honest about this in our counter-budget. The inequality is great, something needs to be done about it. Businesses are doing very well now. Great! So take your customers and employees with you in that prosperity.”
Then you are mainly talking about multinationals.
A higher profit tax also applies to small and medium-sized enterprises. Don’t they need that money for investments or extra staff?
Piano: “There is still room to invest. You only see that the profits now go to the purchase of own shares, shareholders benefit from that.”
Then it’s back to the multinationals. It mainly affects many small and medium-sized employers. Wouldn’t you rather give them some profit?
Piano: “Certainly. We also only increase the profit tax by a few percentage points. We should not pretend that this is the end of the world.”
No one pretends it’s the end of the world.
Piano: “The VVD pretends that taxing companies is the end of the world.”
Jugs: “A good business climate also coincides with good public facilities. Am I accessible as a shop? Are the streets clean? Can I use the energy grid? The VVD does not opt for public facilities. This puts social cohesion at risk.”
If more money is needed, will your profit tax be increased even further?
Piano: “If the economy is down for a while, you shouldn’t panic right away by making hard cutbacks or raising taxes exorbitantly. Then you’ll destroy your economy.”
“The government has to look at the long term, that is crucial. The state of finances next year is not the most important thing.”
Talk about that long run. With the plans of GroenLinks from 2021, the national debt will be almost 21 percent higher in 2060. The CPB writes about both your plans that the bill will be placed with the next generation.
Piano: “That is from our program for the last parliamentary elections. In our joint counter-budget of last year, we arrive at a considerably lower national debt compared to the cabinet plans. Well within the margin of what is sustainable.”
This campaign is about who will be the biggest. But shouldn’t merging factions be more than just hoping for a good election result?
Jugs: “We both believe that society is more than just the economy, that you distribute wealth fairly and that affordable housing is a right. We strengthen each other with our shared values, knowledge and background. A joint faction is a means. Becoming the largest party also.”
Do you fear that social democracy will become diluted if you continue to work together?
Jugs: “I just listed our shared values.”
No matter how you look at it: GroenLinks is a different party than the PvdA. There are differences.
Jugs: “I think social democracy is rather strengthened.”
Jugs: “Yes. So you reinforce the ideals you had.”
Or you pay less attention to those you already stood for.
Jugs: “We are on the same side of the same coin. There are always differences, even within our group.”
Piano: “We don’t know exactly how it will turn out either, but we believe it is important. We already thought the same for 95 percent, in the past we greatly increased that 5 percent. If you work together, you get more done. is a deeper value.”
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