Let’s get to work is the motto of the program that marks the agreement of the new center-right coalition of the Netherlands, presented this Friday. It is a revealing currency, since, and they will have to work hard for their plan to succeed.
The left-wing liberals (D66) – winners of the elections held on October 29 -, the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the right-wing liberals (VVD) have 66 seats: ten below the absolute majority, in a Parliament of 150 seats. For this reason, they describe the Government they are going to form as “collaboration”, since they will depend on the constant support of the opposition to approve laws. The inauguration and official photo with King William are scheduled for February 23.
Three months after the elections, Henri Bontenbal, head of the Christian Democrats (CDA); and Dilan Yesilgöz, on behalf of the Popular Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), have asked for the support not only of the opposition but of society as a whole, while they outlined the main disbursements they propose.
This is a summary of that program: in Defense there will be an investment of 19,000 million euros in the coming years; Starting in 2029, 1 billion will be allocated annually for the construction of affordable housing; Asylum laws will pay attention to “real refugees,” and only “necessary” workers will be admitted; there will be drastic cuts in health and social security; the electrical grid will be expanded to solve current congestion problems; and the ceiling of the mandatory health deductible will go from 385 to 460 euros.
This “health deductible” is the minimum annual amount to be paid by each citizen over 18 years of age for medical expenses covered by basic health insurance. The figure reaches until the insurers begin to cover the costs. Although the payment has been split, this may be one of the first obstacles to the program, since the main opposition party, the alliance between environmentalists and social democrats (GroenLink-Pvda), has already indicated that it will not accept significant cuts in this field without further ado.
When breaking down the 50-page program, Jetten has offered the image of “a citizenry full of confidence and energy that pulls the country forward when politics falters.” The young politician assures that “the world has changed and it is time to face responsibilities,” and that is why the coalition will invest “with an eye on the future.” His optimism has served to support his request for collaboration “to society, the opposition, and companies.”
Jetten’s impetus has not convinced Geert Wilders, the ultra-Dutch leader, who has immediately launched his account on He also rejects that “there is money for windmills, Africa, Ukraine,” and asylum itself.
Criticism has also come, of very different tenor, from the country’s second largest union (CNV, in its Dutch acronym), which regrets the desire to reduce unemployment benefits (from two to one year). The CNV also rejects the proposal to adjust the retirement age – it is now 67 years and three months – to life expectancy. “Thus, a thirty-year-old will not receive the pension until he is 70 years old,” his spokespersons denounce.
Those that have breathed a sigh of relief are the universities, since the future Government’s program rules out cuts in education. In 2027, it is expected to allocate 1,000 million more euros to the sector, which will become 1,500 million after a few years. The coalition’s plan also wants to protect the environment by reducing nitrogen emissions, especially from livestock farms, and creating a fund to help the agricultural and livestock transition. Jetten was Climate Minister between 2022 and 2024.
“Buy a coffee maker”
Shortly before the appearance of the three heads of the new coalition, the final report on the course of the negotiations carried out to reach an agreement was presented. It was done by Rianne Letschert, member of D66 and professor of International Law. Letschert has acted as ” and has given politicians one final piece of advice: to “buy a good coffee maker.”
Letschert’s comment is not only a nod to the fact that coffee is the favorite hot drink of the Dutch – who drink 3.6 cups a day on average, according to market studies – but it also supports the belief that the future Government will have to spend many sleepless nights, literally or metaphorically speaking, in the constant search for support from the opposition and social organizations. The informant has also asked the tripartite to “focus on the content” and maintain “cordiality in relations,” because a minority government needs “courage and control.” The appointment of ministers will also require support from outside the coalition.
