The Dutch Labour party on Tuesday presented a series of proposals that will "boost the economy, get the country's finances in order and strengthen social cohesion."

Labour's presentation comes as the governing parties, along with parliamentary backer the PVV, enter a sixth week of budget negotiations. The minority cabinet needs to implement additional cuts in order to meet euro zone budgetary limits. Financial experts expect cuts of between €10 billion and €16 billion.

Labour leader Diederik Samsom says it is time for “clear choices all round, not only clear financial choices.” The new Labour leader says it will take far more to restore people's faith in the country than just getting the finances in order. He says he is aiming for a situation where the collective good takes precedence over individual wealth.

"The strength of the Netherlands and the trust of the population are not based on the amount of money in the country's coffers but on job security, safe streets and neighbourhoods, good schools, affordable housing, local hospitals and a secure energy supply," said Samsom.

Changes
The proposals, most of which have already been presented, include scrapping free market competition in healthcare, reducing mortgage tax relief to 30 percent and increasing the tax burden on the highest earners.

A detailed financial breakdown of the plans’ consequences were not presented along with the proposals but according to Samsom, "our choices aren't solely about the budget for this or that, our plans are about the changes we want to bring about in the Netherlands."

The Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis will present its analysis of Labour's plans within a few weeks.

(jric)
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