Coalition in The Hague a marriage of convenience

In the Netherlands, the right-wing liberals and the Social Democrats have presented their coalition agreement. This is no love match but a marriage of convenience - and the planned 16 billion euros in cuts will sorely test this union, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad affirms: "It is good that these political opposites have opted for a pragmatic solution. Hopefully they will usher in a period of political stability. Another positive aspect is that the [right-wing populist] PVV party, which had supported the minority government, has disappeared from the centre of power, rendering its xenophobic voice insignificant. Nonetheless [Prime Minister Mark] Rutte's second cabinet won't have an easy time either. The coalition agreement contains many measures that are barely palatable for left-wingers, and few that will please the Right. Once the consequences of this policy become tangible the political and social opposition will increase."

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