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"The classic welfare state will disappear," King Willem-Alexander said on September 17 in the annual Prinsjesdag or Prince's Day speech pronounced before both houses of Parliament. He added, however, that "all those who are able, are asked to take responsibility for their own lives and for those of their entourage".
Through this speech, says Dutch daily De Volkskrant, "Mark Rutte's (Liberal) government asked Dutch citizens for time, patience and help," because, although purchasing power is still falling and unemployment and public spending (€466bn, or more than 76 per cent of GDP) are rising, it needs —
time to attend to the economic recovery. Patience because results are achieved little by little. And help from the opposition, NGOs and common Dutch people who will have to pay and do more.
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A conversation with investigative reporters Stefano Valentino and Giorgio Michalopoulos, who have dissected the dark underbelly of green finance for Voxeurop and won several awards for their work.
Go to the event >