Tag "Netherlands"

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Europe Politics

Rutte for Fourth Term? Splintered Dutch Political Landscape

Approaching 7 months since the last Dutch general election, new cabinet formations have been marred by internal struggles, ministerial scandals, and political betrayals hampering party leaders from partaking in constructive discussions. The current and now demissionary Rutte III cabinet holds the record for the longest cabinet formation in Dutch history: a whopping 225 days, a situation politicians hoped they would never encounter again. However, Rutte’s aspirations to become the Netherlands longest-serving Prime Minister, in combination with the country’s fragmented political landscape, means Dutch citizens must brace themselves for a long formation if not new elections. Recent breakthroughs to restart the current coalition have signaled a possible end to formations, but if it falls through, new elections are inevitable.

Covid-19 Europe

The Netherlands Struggles to Find Political Stability as Polarisation Increases

Amid the pandemic, Dutch politics have become increasingly tumultuous. Its parliamentary elections in March touted the largest number of parties on the Dutch ballots since the 1940s. Additionally, a public awareness of a myriad of socio-political issues and a relatively high voter turnout possibly reflect a more diverse political landscape. Yet, the fallout from last year’s childcare benefit scandal, and renewed discussions about political transparency have impaired ongoing formation talks.

International Politics The Week Ahead

The Week Ahead

Trump speaks to Congress. Merkel talks with Egypt. Dutch elections near end. UK, France and US call for UN sanctions against Syria. All in The Week Ahead.

Europe Politics

2017 Preview: Europe’s security and political risk outlook

With 2017 fast approaching, Europe and the EU will likely continue to be exposed to a range of security, financial and political risks.

International Politics The Week Ahead

Weekly Risk Outlook

Greece begins sending back migrants to Turkey. Peruvians head to the polls. Reserve Bank of Australia reacts to changes in AUD. Netherlands votes on EU-Ukraine agreement.  All in the Weekly Risk Outlook.

Europe Security

Terrorism in Europe has actually decreased

Events in Brussels and Paris have not cost Europe its innocence. Indeed more people died from terrorism in Europe between 1970-1986 than from 2000-2016. After the attacks in Brussels and

Europe Politics

Mixed feelings in the Netherlands as migrants come to Europe

The handling of the crisis by the Netherlands reflects the Dutch view that, while asylum-seekers should be welcomed in the country, economic migrants should not. An oft-underreported aspect of the

Economics Europe

Burning flowers and destroying food, Putin risks domestic backlash

The latest tit-for-tat moves between Russia and the EU over the conflict in Ukraine hit Russian consumers already struggling with high inflation. It marks the continued souring of relations between

International Politics

The Netherlands offers political lessons for US

Political polarization seems engrained in American public affairs. Yet a model that has been working for much of the last three decades in the Netherlands can be seen as a

Latin America Politics

Suriname-Netherlands row downplays economic progress

The Surinamese government recently partnered with Spanish energy firm CEPSA and became a full voting member of the Caribbean Development Bank. However, the Dutch denouncement of the Surinamese executive branch