DWARS and JS call for: ‘Don't collaborate on demolition policies, be the social alternative’

The Hague, 31 January - The new coalition agreement of D66, VVD and CDA threatens yet another policy that strips the public sector, spares the rich and puts the bill on ordinary people. The youth organisations of GroenLinks-PvdA, DWARS and the Young Socialists, are calling on GroenLinks-PvdA not to participate in demolition policies under the guise of ‘responsibility’, but rather to offer the green and social alternative.

“This agreement reminds me of the Rutte cabinets” says Boyd Angenent, chairman of the Young Socialists. “Because of this VVD agreement, your life becomes uncertain if you become unemployed or disabled, but you are spared if you own a fat villa.”

‘Responsible opposition’ also means daring to refuse

GL-PvdA frontrunner Jesse Klaver indicated last Friday that he was willing to make conditional agreements with the cabinet and ‘responsible opposition’. DWARS and JS warn that this should not mean cooperating with neoliberal policies. The coalition agreement now includes plans to increase the own risk in health care, halve the duration of unemployment benefit and reduce the WIA, while at the same time maintaining the mortgage interest deduction. Youth organisations find it unacceptable that defence spending will be paid for by these measures, and express concern whether that money will not end up in the pockets of the US arms industry.

“Supporting a cabinet that demolishes the welfare state is not taking responsibility, it is cowardice,” says Gijs Broere, chairman of DWARS. “Taking responsibility means staying true to your ideals, and not bending with a right-wing agenda.”.

GroenLinks-PvdA: enforce social and green policies

The young people argue that the support of GroenLinks-PvdA will be needed to get a majority in the Lower and Upper Houses. “GL-PvdA should use this position to thus enforce policies that put people and planet at the centre, rather than the rich and business,” Broere said. That means that if GroenLinks-PvdA reaches agreements, they should prioritise:

• Investing heavily in our healthcare, social security and public services;
• Reversing growing inequality;
• Tackling climate change in a social way.

“If the minority government is not willing to implement green and social policies, then GL-PvdA should instead show the social and green alternative to the Netherlands,” said Angenent.