While the House of Representatives debates the continuation of government formation, civil society organizations are highly critical of the slow progress in forming a government. “Parliament please, hurry up,” says Jan van Zaanen, president of the Confederation of Dutch Municipalities (VNG).
He and the heads of Aedes (housing companies) and VNO-NCW (employers) stress that there are major issues that “cannot wait”. VNO-NCW President Ingrid Tejsen is arguing “if necessary” a government outside parliament, without a coalition agreement and with ministers from many different parties.
‘Money is not a problem’
The three say to news hour To be surprised that the composition lasts for a long time. Thijssen: “In terms of content, we all know what needs to be done. Money isn’t really the problem. How can they not figure that out and put together a closet?”
Martin van Rijn, president of Aedes, also emphasizes that there is great agreement in policy on many topics. For example, 34 organizations in the field of housing provided a Action Plan To build more than 100,000 homes each year. “This seems to generate political consensus. You can present it tomorrow, but you can’t do that. And that bothers me a lot.”
Tejsen also sees this unease among entrepreneurs. “The whole policy machine is now at a standstill, while we can’t wait. Nitrogen is a good example of that. It’s an issue that all infrastructure projects are halting, housing construction waiting to happen. That can no longer be done.”
The outgoing government is making plans for next year, but long-term structural agreements are needed for key files, says Van Zaanen. “When it comes to the recovery of the economy, youth welfare, and the enormous tasks of housing construction, the climate, and the energy transition; 352 municipalities are willing to make structural agreements with a new, modern Cabinet.”
Van Rijn, who was Medicare minister for a number of months last year, believes that because there are such significant challenges, the parties will eventually find each other. “You have to find compromises. I can’t imagine that he can’t come up with a good coalition.”
In recent months, the formation has “unfortunately” been still too much about “who with whom,” says Van Rijn. “Just decisions must be made. Write down the problems we have to solve, not only will everyone be shocked by it, but they will be convinced that it must be done quickly. I think the old expression ‘jump over your shadow’ again should be taken out of the closet.”
Cabinet with “experienced”
Tejsen hopes that the new informant will focus on the minority government or cabinet outside Parliament, with the “experienced” as ministers. “I think the second option has the most chance of stability and is better from a business perspective.”
Van Rijn believes there may be a government within a month. “Should.” Van Zaanen hopes for this year. “Hurry up please! Municipalities desperately need you. Residents are not leaving.”