Dutch forced to make further budget cuts

Author (Person) ,
Series Title
Series Details 1.3.12
Publication Date 01/03/2012
Content Type

Article reports that the Netherlands was likely to be forced into a new round of budget cuts in the spring of 2012 that could fracture its coalition government, after forecasts suggested the country’s budget deficit would hit 4.5% in 2013, well above the 3% limit set by the eurozone fiscal pact.

Negotiations to cut the budget would test the appetite of one of Europe’s few remaining triple A-rated countries for austerity, a policy it has ardently preached for eurozone bail-out recipients such as Greece and Portugal but which could now threaten its own fragile coalition.

It could also strengthen the political left in a country where, as in France, the Socialists have leapt to the top of the polls in recent months.

Related Links
ESO: Background information: Dutch hurt by downturn http://www.europeansources.info/record/dutch-hurt-by-downturn/
RNW, 1.3.12; Dutch 2013 budget deficit at 4.5 percent http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-2013-budget-deficit-45-percent
Website: CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) http://www.cpb.nl/en/node/
CPB: Data: Preliminary table Main Economic Indicators 2011-2015 (March 2012) http://www.cpb.nl/en/number/preliminary-table-main-economic-indicators-2011-2015-march-2012
ESO: Background information: Dutch Labour leader resigns http://www.europeansources.info/record/dutch-labour-leader-resigns/
DutchNews.nl, 1.3.12: The Netherlands will keep to the EU rules, says Brussels http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2012/03/the_netherlands_will_keep_to_t.php
De Volkskrant / NRC Handelsblad / Trouw, 2.3.12: The Hague to get taste of its own medicine (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/1572861-hague-get-taste-its-own-medicine

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