Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
King William-Alexander gave his annual speech to the States General on the third Tuesday in September.
The king emphasized that solving political problems in the Netherlands takes time. “Not everything can be done at once,” he said on Tuesday during the speech from the throne, in which he announced the government’s plans for next year.
King Willem-Alexander began his speech by insisting on the importance of community spirit and cooperation as an “antidote to polarization.” According to him, politics plays an important role in this. “One of the most important questions is whether people still have confidence in politics and government to solve the problems.”
Nevertheless, the king emphasized that solving problems takes time. “The honest message is: not everything can be done at once,” he said. In doing so, the cabinet mainly encounters financial limits. “Because we should not saddle our children and grandchildren with an irresponsibly high national debt.” That is why the government is pursuing a budgetary policy “that does not postpone the bill.”
One political problem is more of a priority for the cabinet than the other. For example, it is irresponsible to postpone or cancel efforts to address the nitrogen problem. Earlier this year, the cabinet presented a nitrogen approach, but it met with considerable resistance from right-wing parties. These plans also led to farmers’ protests in various places in the country.
The cabinet will continue to discuss the plans with farmers and provinces. There is a lot of money available to help farmers adapt their business. The king acknowledges the pain and uncertainty of farming families in the vicinity of vulnerable nature. “Farmers deserve clarity and perspective.”
The king also paid attention to the heated debate around asylum and migration. According to him, there should always be room in the Netherlands for people fleeing war and oppression. He discussed demonstrations earlier this year in Loosdrecht and Engelen, where an asylum seekers’ center was almost set on fire and houses and vehicles were destroyed and defaced.
“It must be clear that threats and violence are unacceptable. Stricter controls at EU external borders and cooperation with countries outside the EU should reduce the influx. Getting a grip on migration is a topic that is about togetherness.”
The king also discussed the importance of investments in defense and Ukraine, the threat of organized crime in the Netherlands, and the need for a pragmatic approach to the housing shortage.
Cabinet still has to seek support for plans
Each year, the prime minister writes the Speech from the Throne, which the king delivers on Budget Day. This year, Rob Jetten wrote it for the first time.
Parliament still must approve the plans read out in the speech from the throne. This year, the minority cabinet will have to seek support to guide its plans through the Senate and House. The opposition has already criticized the leaked plans and the cabinet’s attempts to collaborate with opposition parties.
That political game continues during the General Political Reflections on Wednesday and Thursday, when the House of Representatives debates the plans read out by the king.
