In her speech from the throne, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands stressed the importance of a stable government and a balanced budget. She warned that the economic crisis will be felt for many years to come and that the next cabinet will have to build on the measures taken for 2011.

She also called on the public and government to continue efforts to ensure social cohesion. She stressed there has to be "tolerance, give and take and a willingness to adapt". This is a clear reference to the current coalition negotiations between the free martket VVD, the Christian Democrats and Geert Wilders' anti-Islam Freedom Party.

Many of the measures to cut public spending by 3.2 billion euros had already been leaked to the press in recent weeks. A large number of civil service jobs will be axed and tax on cigarettes and fines for petty crime will be increased. Education, which is seen as the key to future economic success, is being spared.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide