Politicians have forgotten how to cut spending. As a result, not only is the government getting bigger, but healthcare and Social Security are increasingly crowding out investment in the future. So it’s time for a major reform program. But how do you turn the tide?...
public finances
As an economic storm looms over the Netherlands, the government is working on a modest stimulus package. They’re doing everything they can to avoid disrupting the budget too much. But what’s really needed are bold measures. The government is growing too fast, living beyond its means, and investing too little....
Raising the state pension age appears to be the biggest sticking point for the incoming cabinet. There is considerable opposition to the move. But maintaining the current situation is particularly attractive for the...
All political parties want to solve today's problems: invest in housing, invest in the military, invest in nitrogen solutions. But in the future there will be new problems, such as an aging population. So why doesn't any party invest in sound public finances?....
More money to defense and cuts in health care. Those are the broad outlines of the Central Planning Bureau's run-through of political parties' plans. But what does the small print say?
In the run-up to the Lower House elections, Hollands Welvaren interviews electable politicians who know about money. What are their plans? How do we keep the Netherlands prosperous? Do they want a bigger government that provides more...