The Hague: Noureddine Amrani

Today, the three parties involved in forming the government in the Netherlands, which will be headed by Rob Yette on behalf of the Democrats 66 party, along with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the Liberal Party (VVD), presented the outlines of their program, entitled "Aan de Slag" (Never), to various political groups and members of parliament in The Hague.

The party will be led by Rob Yette on behalf of the Democrats 66 party. Observers following public and private political affairs in the Netherlands consider the government program a "stab in the back" for low-wage citizens and a denial of their rights, especially those benefiting from social compensation related to illness or disability. The program, in its entirety, contains unfair decisions, particularly for citizens who have lost their jobs. They will no longer be able to receive compensation for two or three years as was the case in the past, but will be limited to one year, despite their long service. This is what Rob Yeaten, the Prime Minister of the new government, wants for his citizens, as the focus has been on the unemployed who have lost their jobs, allowing them to benefit from compensation for only one year and receive smaller allowances with a longer retirement period in the future. To keep our readers informed, we at "Europe and the Arabs" present a comprehensive summary of all the decisions.

The new government wants to significantly reduce spending on social security and healthcare. The three-party coalition forming the aforementioned minority government also wants to increase the budgets for the military and education, for example. This will negatively impact citizens' finances, especially given the rising cost of living and the high prices of essential goods.

Unemployment Benefits
The maximum duration of unemployment benefits (WW) will be reduced to one year. Currently, an unemployed person is entitled to benefits for up to two years. The three parties vying to form the government promise that benefits will increase slightly. The exact amount of this increase is still unclear. At the same time, employees will need to have worked longer to qualify for unemployment benefits. This is expected to generate a total of €1.3 billion.

The retirement age (AOW) will rise more rapidly starting in 2033. This means working longer. For every year that life expectancy increases, the retirement age will increase by one year. Currently, this increase is for eight months. Expected revenue for the treasury: €2.7 billion.

• Those who become unable to work will generally receive lower benefits in the future. The maximum benefit a person can receive will be 20% lower than it is now. The special, higher benefit for people who become totally incapacitated (IVA) will also be eliminated for new cases. Expected savings: €2.3 billion.

- Healthcare
• The minimum age to purchase tobacco and e-cigarettes is raised from 18 to 21.

• The fixed deductible (personal contribution) is increased by €75 to €460. In return, the patient will not have to pay the full amount upfront, but a maximum of €150. Municipalities receive €350 million to help chronically ill and disabled people who cannot afford their bills. Total savings: approximately €4.8 billion by 2030.

• The new government will take a more critical look at medications included in the basic health insurance package. This is expected to save €150 million.

• The elderly care budget will be cut by approximately €2 billion starting in 2030. In practice, this means that elderly people in nursing homes will pay more. The home care budget will also be reduced.

• A personal contribution will be introduced for home nursing care.

• The new government wants to invest in prevention and well-being. Starting in 2028, €35 million per year will be allocated for this purpose. An additional €50 million per year will also be invested in sports.

The Housing Crisis

• 30 large new construction sites will be established across the country. These could be new residential areas or even new cities. Many of these sites have already been identified by previous governments.

• Regulations and taxes for landlords will be relaxed. The exact mechanisms are still unclear. The law on reasonable rent, which regulates renters not paying excessive rent, will be revised.

• Filing an objection against housing projects will become more difficult.

• Municipalities will have less freedom to require homebuyers to live in their own homes. A wealth test will be implemented for those applying for social rental housing. This will allow housing companies to reject applicants who already own a home and are renting it out.

Asylum

The Geiten government will implement Geert Wilders' Freedom Party asylum laws "without amendment" if they are passed by the Senate next month. If a surge in asylum applications occurs and the asylum system "collapses under the influx," a "temporary emergency suspension" of family reunification for refugees from war zones could be declared.

Emergency accommodation for refugees in hotels and cruise ships will be replaced by emergency accommodation in regular asylum centers.

Municipalities will now be allowed to prioritize housing for refugees with a residence permit. The previous government prohibited this. Priority will only be granted when there is sufficient housing available. 

• Troublesome refugees will be dealt with more strictly. For example, they will be subject to travel bans more quickly or must go to a special reception center where their freedom is restricted. To prevent further disruptions, in addition to work and language classes, the focus will be on daytime activities and therapy to address trauma and addiction.

• Cooperation with Uganda, initiated by the Geert Wilders government, will be suspended. “Return centers” were planned for that country, to which rejected asylum seekers from other countries could be sent.

Defense

• The Democrats 66, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, and the Christian Democratic Appeal want to start requiring a contribution for “our security.” This contribution will not be voluntary and will be collected through income tax.

• If it were up to the Geten government, the armed forces would grow to 122,000 personnel instead of 100,000. Therefore, the “year of service” for young people would be significantly extended, and a mandatory survey for young people would be implemented. As a last resort, the reintroduction of selective military service would be retained. To become less dependent on countries outside NATO, the government wants to purchase 50% of the armed forces' equipment from Dutch and European partners. The government also appears to be preparing for a smaller role for the United States.

Education
Pupils will not be allowed to bring mobile phones to school.

The Geiten government will invest in "enriched school days," meaning extracurricular activities such as music classes in schools. There should also be ample bridging classes, where pupils can choose their level later.

A state commission will be established to investigate the reasons for the increasing decline in children's literacy and numeracy skills.

Universities and higher education institutions will have "more opportunities to attract leading global talent." The previous government wanted to limit this.

Scholarships for students living away from their family home will increase.

A mandatory training bonus will be introduced by law.

Primary and secondary school children will receive free school fruit.

Security
Parties want to restrict the right to demonstrate if it leads to "significant disruption of public order." • In the future, football clubs may be fined if hooligans cause the need for police intervention "on the pitch."

• To ease the burden on overburdened judges, police will be allowed to issue fines themselves for minor offenses and certain crimes, such as theft, shoplifting, and vandalism.

• An additional €100 million is being allocated to overcrowded prisons. Note: This represents a quarter of the required amount.

• A Dutch version of the Clare Act will be introduced. This British law is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her boyfriend with a violent past. In the future, women who suspect their partners can request information from the police, who will then decide whether and what information can be shared with them.

Taxes

• The tax exemption on mortgage interest will remain unchanged.

• The VAT on cut flowers will increase from 9% to 21%.

• A "sugar tax" will be levied on producers. The exact details of how this will be implemented are yet to be finalized. • Petrol will become more expensive in the long run. Petrol taxes will increase again after 2027, adjusting for inflation.

• There will be fewer tax breaks, such as the employment and general tax breaks. It is not yet known exactly which ones will be eliminated.

• Child benefits and the child-based budget will be merged, with higher fixed amounts per child.

Traffic

• So far, transport ministers have been reluctant to do so, but: a separate vehicle category will be created for fat bikes, if it is up to the Democrats 66, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, and the Christian Democratic Appeal. This way, the new coalition could make helmet use and a minimum age requirement possible.

• There is still no significant funding for major traffic projects. However, the coalition hopes to restart seventeen stalled road, canal, and rail projects.

• Lillestad Airport will be opened to F-35 fighter jets and civilian flights. Initially, there will be 10,000 aircraft movements. Schiphol Airport must do more to combat noise pollution. The new coalition government is committed to a maximum of 478,000 aircraft movements per year. A new plan will be developed, and a nighttime closure will be considered as an option.

Climate
To address the problems of the overcrowded electricity grid, a special "Grid Congestion Crisis Act" will be introduced. This measure should significantly expedite procedures related to the construction of electricity networks—substations and new cables.

The new coalition government is committed to the plan to build "at least" four nuclear power plants in the Netherlands. There will be no additional funding for this.

Nitrogen
The new government is allocating €20 billion to address nitrogen issues. This money is earmarked, among other things, for the acquisition and restructuring of companies located near a natural area and for farmers who wish to voluntarily cease operations.

In 2030, the success of this approach will be assessed. If not, "complementary measures" will be implemented. The specifics of these measures have not yet been outlined. The problem must be completely resolved by 2035. If not, the forced reduction of livestock herds is threatened. This policy directly contradicts the policies of Geert Wilders' government.

The nitrogen approach focuses primarily on areas near sensitive Natura 2000 areas, i.e., natural areas in poor condition. This will begin in Velef and De Belle.

A soil-related standard will also be implemented, meaning that as a farmer, you can keep a maximum number of animals per square meter. The Netherlands and the world 

The cuts to the number of public sector employees in the Netherlands must be more extensive. The coalition aims to save the government more than €1 billion.

Assignments to Ukraine will continue unchanged, as previously announced. Previous governments allocated at least €3 billion annually for this purpose, and the Democrats 66, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, and Christian Democratic Appeal parties are reserving the same amount for the upcoming period.

To become less dependent on the United States, the parties want to focus heavily on European arms production and domestic intelligence. The Netherlands wants to create a European version of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, "to cooperate with a leading group of European countries in the field of intelligence."