The Dutch elections have ended in a race between the liberal party (VVD) and the social-democratic party (PvdA). The preliminary results indicate that VVD has 41 seats (up from 31) whereas PvdA has 39 seats (up from 30) out of a total of 150 seats. Especially the latter party has won while endorsing a pro-European agenda. The division of seats is such that PvdA and VVD are practically forced to enter into a coalition.
Many observers have concluded that the anti-European strategy of the right-wing populists (PVV) and the left-wing socialists (SP) has backfired and that pro-Europe has won. This observation, however, is too optimistic for two reasons. First, the main issue in the elections has turned out to be how to address the economic crisis. The perceived differences between the two parties lie in who they try to spare from budget cuts (e.g. low income versus entrepreneurs) where they want to invest (e.g. environment versus more roads) and what role they see for the government (e.g. more government and less market versus less government and more market). As left wing voters rallied behind the PvdA out of fear for four years of right-wing liberal government, in response right-wing voters rallied behind VVD out of fear for a four-year left-wing reign. So the vote can be interpreted as an almost equal split among the Dutch population on these issues instead of an endorsement of Europe.
Second, although the liberals have stated several times that Europe is important to them, they also claim an important contribution to Europe is to say no to Brussels. During elections, the liberals have claimed they will send no more money to Greece. In addition, they don’t want Brussels to have more power. At the same time, there is a big gap between the liberals and the social democrats on their ideas about the future of Europe. While the social democrats reject an austerity-only Europe, the liberals envisage a small Europe with strict budget rules. In the end, while Dutch voters may have accepted that Europe and the euro are in their interest, scepticism among Dutch voters on Europe remains strong. A new Dutch government will not be anti-Europe. But do not mistake the Dutch vote to be a pro-European one.
Comments
Subscribe to posts' commentsGuy Braun 13th September 2012
This observation is sadly enough correct !
Reply to Guy Braun
Dutch Voter 13th September 2012
VVD 41 seats PVV 15 seats SP 15 seats SGP 3 seats PvdD 2 seats Total of 76 of 150 seats are critical or against the EU... So I\'ll say that the majority of the dutch voters are not 100% pro EU (like GL, D\'66, CU & PvdA).
Reply to Dutch Voter
Second Dutch Voter 13th September 2012
Dutch voter is incorrect. The VVD party is not eurosceptic. They\'re in favor of the euro, the European Union and European co-operation in other areas. They are, however, not necessarily in favor of a federal Europe, but you shouldn\'t equate that with euroscepticism.
Reply to Second Dutch Voter
Dutch Voter3 13th September 2012
In my opinion the dutch people have voted for Fifth Colonne.
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Jamie 13th September 2012
I agree with Dutch Voter3. The winning parties are like traitors of the Motherland. They will sell out the Netherlands to the EU. They are big liars, without brains and the victims will be the Dutch people, but they don\'t know yet
Reply to Jamie