The Green party in the Netherlands has agreed to start negotiations to form a government with the center-right
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Coalition talks could take months. The four prospective ruling parties have many differences to bridge.
The Greens want to raise taxes on pollution; Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s liberals want to build more roads. The Greens want to shrink the income gap; the liberals want to cut high taxes and social insurance costs.
The Christian Democrats and liberal Democrats are close in terms of economic policy but miles apart on cultural issues. The former have called for a mandatory national service; the latter want to legalize certain drugs and expand euthanasia rights.
Nevertheless, there may be enough common ground for an accord.
The national broadcaster NOS compared the election manifestos of the four parties and found that they all favor comprehensive tax reform, including lower income tax rates.
They all want to invest in security. The Greens would prefer to spend more on developmental aid than defense, but, after decades of cuts and in light of (unfortunately) American pressure, higher military spending seems inevitable.
All four parties also want to spend more on elderly care and lower the health insurance deductible.
Read more: Nick Ottens What to Expect from Right-Green Coalition in Netherlands – Atlantic Sentinel
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Coalition talks could take months. The four prospective ruling parties have many differences to bridge.
The Greens want to raise taxes on pollution; Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s liberals want to build more roads. The Greens want to shrink the income gap; the liberals want to cut high taxes and social insurance costs.
The Christian Democrats and liberal Democrats are close in terms of economic policy but miles apart on cultural issues. The former have called for a mandatory national service; the latter want to legalize certain drugs and expand euthanasia rights.
Nevertheless, there may be enough common ground for an accord.
The national broadcaster NOS compared the election manifestos of the four parties and found that they all favor comprehensive tax reform, including lower income tax rates.
They all want to invest in security. The Greens would prefer to spend more on developmental aid than defense, but, after decades of cuts and in light of (unfortunately) American pressure, higher military spending seems inevitable.
All four parties also want to spend more on elderly care and lower the health insurance deductible.
Read more: Nick Ottens What to Expect from Right-Green Coalition in Netherlands – Atlantic Sentinel
