Author: maartenp Published: February 20th, 2010
De reacties op de val van het kabinet variëren van intense vreugde tot “bah wat een slechte timing” of bij een enkeling “moet dat nou zo allemaal?”. Maar er zijn weinig mensen in Nederland die er zo ellendig en depressief van worden als EO-presentator Andries Knevel. Hij ziet het Einde der Tijden komen en zoekt nu troost. Hier een greep uit zijn ”tweets” van de afgelopen 24 uur:
andriesgknevel
- Luister nu naar nieuwe uitvoering Mattheus Passion met Gewandhausorchester Leipzig en Ricardo Chailly. Troost en vergeving. Enige nodige. about 1 hours ago from web
- OK. Het huis is helemaal gezogen, de badkamer is geboend, de keuken is schoon, kranten opgeruimd. Maar woede en machteloosheid blijven. about 4 hours ago from web
- O, O, O, wat is dit allemaal slecht voor Nederland. Zware financiele crisis, Mega bezuinigingen in aantocht. Internationaal een lachertje. about 13 hours ago from web
- O wat baal ik. about 14 hours ago from Echofon
- Drie jaar lang heb ik dit kabinet, en het beleid van dit kabinet, verdedigd. Moet ik nu met weemoed afscheid nemen? about 22 hours ago from web
Tags: Andries Knevel, Balkenende, Twitter, val kabinet
Category Dutch politics |
Author: maartenp Published: February 20th, 2010
Dutch Parliament Debates Afghanistan:
The loss of the 2,000 Dutch troops would further exacerbate the military gulf between NATO and the U.S., which is assuming an ever-larger share of the combat burden in Afghanistan.
U.S. commanders speak highly of the Dutch performance in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, where Dutch forces have focused on political and economic development rather than solely hunting Taliban fighters, an approach in line with the new American counterinsurgency strategy for the country. But the Dutch have steadfastly refused to send troops to more volatile regions of Afghanistan or to allow their troops to take part in combat missions, which could mute the tactical impact of a Dutch departure from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands could soon lose its government. There are local elections on March 3 and Mr. Bos is anxious to make a splash, say analysts. His party trails in the polls.
If Mr. Balkenende can’t persuade Mr. Bos to a compromise solution by March 1, the Labor Party could leave the coalition, toppling the government. At a Friday cabinet meeting, Mr. Bos will have the option of negotiating a compromise with Mr. Balkenende, postponing a decision, or pulling out of the coalition. He has already indicated what way he would lean. “By the end of this year, the last soldier should have left Uruzghan,” Mr. Bos told a party meeting this week. “We’re keeping our promise to the Dutch people.”
A governmental collapse could have economic consequences for the country, too. Part of the current government’s platform is to delay tax hikes or spending cuts until 2011. A new government would mean a new platform, which would suit many Dutch voters upset at a forecasted 2010 budget deficit of 6.1% of gross domestic product.
It would not be the best news for Dutch consumer demand. The economy just started recovering about shrinking in four successive quarters. The government is already in trouble. According to a recent TV poll, 76% of Dutch voters don’t trust it.
Tags: Afghanistan, kabinet-Balkenende IV
Category Dutch politics, U.S. politics |
Author: maartenp Published: February 20th, 2010
Tags: kabinet-Balkenende IV
Category Dutch politics |
