VVD is again against PvdA and GroenLinks. In late January, party leader Rutte said these parties would “pocket each other by charging at least nine taxes.” He then spoke of a “left cloud”. Rutte repeated this statement at a VVD campaign event in Dordrecht for the state elections.
He was now mainly working on the issue of security. “These elections are about a strong economy and also a safe Netherlands. You can see that there are two opposing worldviews here, two visions of the future of the Netherlands, left or right.”
The VVD boss was critical of PvdA and GroenLinks voting against a law that would only impose community service on people who use violence against aides. There was no majority for this bill, in part due to the opposing votes of PvdA and GroenLinks. Opponents believe that judges are too limited by law to punish.
As another example, Rutte pointed to the PvdA and GroenLinks voting against a law that increases the maximum penalty for manslaughter.
Nitrogen
Rutte also answered journalists’ questions about PvdAs and GroenLink’s criticisms of the nitrogen law. He may need their support for a Senate majority.
“You have to make sure you keep companies strong, but you can also build and roads can be built,” said the VVD boss. “Of course you don’t want parties that say ‘We don’t need all of agriculture in the Netherlands anymore’ to grow.”
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
