AMAYZINE VOTING GUIDE
Jesse Klaver came out on top in yesterday's RTL4 debate at Carré. And did you also find that such a suit-and-tie front to see? Pauw and Jinek are a ratings cannon. The election battle is ON. As we speak and while I type this, PM and list leader Mark Rutte is comfortably sharing his story with Edwin Evers in Hilversum and dodging critical questions. In De Telegraaf, every list leader has a page today to air some positions.
And now you probably thought: I'm going to Amayzine to avoid all that voting violence. Too bad, I made an appointment with you. You would vote (even if it was blank, really why doesn't the royal family do this?), I would lay out your options in bite-sized pieces. Do you remember? And that's why I spent this weekend with my nose in party programs. So now you get the lengthy (except for the one-page PVV) campaigns in 1100 words. To cover myself, those of the five largest parties in the polls. And go ahead, I'll throw in those of the SP and the PvdA as well.
VVD aims for a ‘certain Netherlands’
Yes, we know that list leader of course. Our single man Mark Rutte is once again taking to the country from the tower in The Hague for his VVD. Are you on a temporary contract or working as a freelancer? VVD makes it easier for you, but even easier for the employer. That means more and longer temporary contracts. And if you work in a permanent position, the wage continuation is shortened to a year. Your pension pot becomes yours, so you decide when your AOW and supplementary pension is paid out. And are you in favor of expanding security? Then Mark is your man. VVD also wants to invest more in neighborhood police officers and defense, and an officer gets more protection during an investigation. Applying for asylum? Preferably not anymore in Europe, says the party.
PVV presents ‘Netherlands back to us’
Geert Wilders' party advocates for a Netherlands where residents take precedence over the rest of the world. In short, this means: the de-Islamization of the country, the Netherlands must leave the European Union, a binding referendum will be introduced, the own risk in healthcare must be abolished, and rents must go down. Additionally, the AOW age will be lowered back to 65 years, no money may go to development aid, windmills, art, innovation, broadcasting, etc. (what etc. means is not entirely clear). And there will be more hands on deck in healthcare, you will pay less income tax, and if it were up to the PVV, the motor vehicle tax would be halved. The de-Islamization is also divided into eight more points, think of the preventive detention of radical Muslims and a ban on the Koran.
CDA makes ‘choices for a better Netherlands’
With the hashtag #BeterNederland, the Christian Democrats led by Van Haersma Buma step into the election ring. And the program is long, so you know that in advance. They focus on a social service obligation for young people to increase social awareness. Sports should work as a binding factor between people and therefore must become more accessible. Just like cultural heritage, from a festival like Noorderslag to the Rijksmuseum. The CDA wants to make this possible by distributing those subsidies better. And have you just fled from Limburg to the Randstad? Well, they are finally tackling the shrinking regions. So if it were up to the CDA, there would be some excitement back in the province. Integration must be more than just learning a language and finding a job. If you get Dutch nationality, it will be a grand ceremony. The party wants a safer country and they use Feyenoord's slogan for that: no words, but deeds. That means investing in police, justice, and the judiciary. According to the CDA, women do not voluntarily enter prostitution, so it is human trafficking. Parents must be confronted much earlier with their child's criminal behavior, and terrorism must be prevented. The party wants a European law so that parliament is aware of the ins and outs within the European Union. And refugees will be evenly distributed across small centers in the country. Finally, the classic from the CDA front, the family is the cornerstone of society. Therefore, they want a Minister for Family and Children. Oh yes, and more attention for the elderly. It is clear, the Christian Democrats want a lot.
“Social housing is a no-go, but buying is also out of the question”
D66 chooses education and refugee issues
Yes, list leader Alexander Pechtold is going back to school. Because education is the engine for opportunities, your whole life long. The media remains the watchdog for democracy, so it must remain nice and diverse, and D66 wants a sustainable economy. Then you think of sun, wind, and water, and not of coal or oil. By the way, did you know that there is a connection obligation for gas in the Netherlands? Out with the window, says Pechtold. And they do this by implementing a fiscal greening. Being green is rewarded, and if you pollute the planet, you will be taxed more heavily. The party wants more jobs, but for everyone if possible. Young people and low-educated individuals hop from contract to contract, while those with a permanent contract are glued to their office chair. D66 envisions it this way... Lower the tax on labor and modernize the dismissal law. This ensures that an employer dares to offer you a permanent contract. And hello there small entrepreneur, they have something in store for you too. The self-employed declaration must be easy, and you must be able to insure yourself properly against illness or disability. If you think, but then I still need a job folks... D66 advocates for experimenting with neutral job applications. This way, as a woman and as a person of a certain age or with a non-Western background, you also have a chance. Therefore, work must also pay off, and the party wants to strengthen the position of the middle class. Do you earn between 30,000 and 50,000 euros per year? Then you fall outside the boat everywhere. Social housing is a no-go, but buying is also out of the question. D66 is turning the housing market upside down. And as a closing note, the party is in favor of taxing the use of your car and not for ownership. Aiaiai, here I go.
GroenLinks thinks it’s ’time for change’
Jesse Klaver and his party are of course going for more taxes on the wealthy and multinationals. The budget for a green economy must also increase, for example to place windmills at sea. Poverty should not exist in the Netherlands, so every child must have the chance for a good education. GroenLinks is also committed to healthcare. Caring is out of healthcare, and the bonuses of executives should go directly to the patient. Therefore, health insurers no longer have the say, the health premium goes down, and the own risk is abolished. Klaver and his followers further advocate for one society that treats each other with respect. Okay, if a party wins on the conciseness of the party program, GroenLinks has a great chance here. Short, without immediately compromising credibility. And believe me, they are also among them.
And of course SP and PvdA
Emile Roemer takes power, according to his election program. Lodewijk Asscher is going for a connected society. But so far, the points of these two established boys are not really resonating. They are just outside the top five in the polls. Strange, because when I was glued to the screen as a non-voter for the debate, these parties were in power. Not always, but they certainly played a role. But back to order, this is how it is with these parties. PvdA in a nutshell: permanent work is a right, everyone deserves good care and a nice old age (the own risk is going out the door), equal opportunities for good education, people are free and discrimination is not accepted, rents are based on ability to pay. Taxes for middle and low incomes will go down, wealthy companies and major polluters will pay more. And moving on to SP, that party advocates for a National Health Fund where the health insurance premium is determined by income. Goodbye CZ-, Achmea- or your HEMA health insurance. The minimum wage will increase by ten percent, as will benefits and AOW. This will stimulate purchasing power. The Netherlands will also no longer be a tax paradise, large companies will simply pay more. For example, through the millionaire tax. The classrooms will be emptier by reducing class sizes to a maximum of 23 students. Rents will go down, and we will no longer live alongside each other, but with each other. There will be more police officers, and you can immediately go to the polls for a referendum on Europe. Finally, you will have more say about schools and healthcare. They do this by introducing a binding referendum.
Small disclaimer: no, not all points of the parties are included in this piece. For that input, just click through to what appeals to you the most. But for now, you have an idea of which way to go. I hope I was of great help. Go forth and vote.
