The Hague: Europe and the Arabs
On Tuesday, The Hague hosted an official celebration marking Princes' Day (Princesjesdag 2025), with the King delivering the Throne Speech before the Dutch Parliament, in the presence of all members of the royal family and senior political and diplomatic figures. Colleague Nourredine Al-Amrani wrote, "King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands delivered a speech at Princes' Day, which is held annually in the third week of September. The speech is held to present the million-strong memorandum outlining the government's domestic and foreign policy, paving the way for discussions, whether for the parties forming the government coalition to defend their positions and opinions, or for the opposition parties that criticize the government's programs related to the economic, social, or Dutch foreign policy.
This year's Princes' Day came amid a government in disarray since the announcement by the extremist populist Geert Wilders, who holds a parliamentary majority, of his withdrawal from the government due to immigration and asylum policies. Wilders claimed in his political statements regarding what he calls the danger of the Islamization of Dutch society and the 'influx of immigrants.'
Although the government has tendered its resignation and should have continued in 'temporary management,' the Social Contract Party's ministers will leave the government immediately after the coalition and opposition parties abstain from voting on its foreign policy.
Amid these political developments in the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander addressed the Dutch people, saying, "People are increasingly pitted against each other," as is happening online, at universities, and in political life. He added that debate and differences of opinion are at the heart of a vibrant democracy, and this also requires a willingness to extend a helping hand to others.
The King emphasized that the right of the first person does not automatically invalidate the other person's opinion, and that the societal reality is often much more complex. He also noted the success of the NATO summit and spoke about policy areas that the government continues to focus on, such as migration, nitrogen, and healthcare.
In the same context, according to local media reports, Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma said she only wants one thing in December: to form a new government before Christmas. Her statement came after King Willem-Alexander's Throne Speech. Dijksma expressed concern about the current government's continued "caretaker status," asserting that the Netherlands cannot tolerate this for long.
According to local media reports, the King emphasized in his speech the need for politicians and society to deal with each other with "maturity," and warned against increasing division and heated debate in the country.
Dijksma agreed. She said that polarization particularly affects young people through social media and is reflected even in classrooms.
She added that the best model is collaborative and constructive governance, as often occurs in municipalities, calling for its implementation at the national level as well.
Other points from the Speech from the Throne:
• Women's and girls' safety: New investments to combat domestic violence and femicide.
• Housing crisis: Plans to open new construction sites (Alkmaar, Apeldoorn, Hengelo/Enschede, Helmond).
• Nature and climate: Environmental organizations deemed the plans "temporary and insufficient."
• Municipalities: Temporary additional financial support was announced to avoid a "cliff year" in their budgets, with increases targeted at youth care.