The Catshuis has been the official residence of the Prime Minister since 1963. Jacob Cats had it built and put it into use on July 14, 1652. Over the years, the use of the cats house has changed. It is now mainly used for representative receptions and meetings. Every year, the Catshuis consultation serves for the coalition to draw up a budget that could withstand the criticism of the House of Representatives. In 2012 the coalition consisted of two parties. The VVD and the CDA. In order to obtain a majority in decision-making in the House of Representatives, the PVV was the tolerating partner. After 7 weeks of intensive consultation, the consultation partners decided to end the Catshuis consultation. The participants in the coalition consultation were unable to reach an agreement.
Catshuis consultation
Every year, the Catshuis consultation serves for the coalition to draw up a budget that could withstand the criticism of the House of Representatives. In 2012 the coalition consisted of two parties. The VVD and the CDA. In order to obtain a majority in decision-making in the House of Representatives, the PVV was the tolerating partner. Each party has 2 conversation participants. In 2012, the Catshuis consultation consisted of 6 people. After 7 weeks of intensive consultation, the consultation partners decided to end the Catshuis consultation. The participants in the coalition consultation were unable to reach an agreement.
Catshuis consultation 2012 at an end
It is striking at the end of the Catshuis consultation on April 21, 2012 that the coalition VVD and CDA gave a press conference at the Catshuis and the tolerating partner the PVV in the House of Representatives. In both press conferences, an explanation was given as to why the consultation had broken down. Both statements elaborated on the reason why it was not possible to agree on the additional cuts of around 14 billion euros.
The negotiations
The six negotiators spent seven weeks discussing the necessary cuts to remain within the European standard of a budget deficit of a maximum of 3%. The billions in cuts and reforms were necessary to meet European budget requirements. On March 1, 2012, the negotiators started the Catshuis consultation with good courage, based on the estimates of the Central Planning Bureau (CPB). The negotiators emphasize that they must secure a number of issues for their party. For example, the PVV wants less asylum and immigration. Prime Minister Rutte then announced that no new coalition or tolerance agreement will be written. Due to the departure of a PVVer from the House of Representatives faction, the tolerance coalition, consisting of VVD, CDA and PVV, loses the majority in parliament.
Calculations of the proposed measures
At the request of the negotiators, the CPB has calculated the package of measures they propose. The calculations made by the CPB are discussed in the Catshuis consultation. The PVV cannot explain the results of the calculation to its supporters and leaves the Catshuis consultation.
Cabinet
The cabinet consisted of VVD and CDA and had the support of the PVV. Now that the PVV has left the Catshuis consultation, VVD and CDA will emerge together as a cabinet. There will be an emergency debate in the House of Representatives about the situation that has arisen and what the exact calculations are by the CPB. The House of Representatives wants to know what caused the termination of the Catshuis consultation.
New elections
On April 21, 2012, the coalition talks came to nothing and the Prime Minister sees no other option than that new elections will have to be held. The elections cannot be called until September or October. As a rule, no elections are organized in the Netherlands during the holiday months of May to August. Until the elections, there is a caretaker cabinet that will continue to consist of the current VVD and CDA ministers and state secretaries. The draft agreements made in the Catshuis consultation are in doubt due to the departure of the PVV from the consultation. At the proposal of the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Council of Ministers has decided to hold the elections for the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 12, 2012. This decision stems from the wishes of the House of Representatives. New political parties can register with the Electoral Council (central electoral committee) until June 18, 2012 at the latest. The day of nomination for the election of the House of Representatives is Tuesday, July 18, 2012. The current House of Representatives will be dissolved on Thursday, September 20, 2012. The newly elected members of the House of Representatives will meet for the first time on Thursday, September 20, 2012.
European Commission
If there is a caretaker cabinet, it will be difficult to meet the demands of the European Commission. The result will be that the financial markets will not respond positively to the Dutch situation. The result is generally that the Netherlands will be depreciated and will have to pay higher interest rates. This higher interest rate is also a consequence of the fact that the Netherlands has a budget deficit that is higher than 3%. If interest rates rise, the budget deficit will also be negatively affected. The budget plans must
be submitted before April 30, 2012 . April 30, 2012 is the deadline because the European Commission wants the budget plans of all European countries.
Budget 2013
On April 27, 2012, agreement was reached on the 2013 budget. The outgoing cabinet (VVD and CDA), together with 5 factions from the House of Representatives, reached agreement. D66, GroenLinks, ChristenUnie, CDA and VVD have drawn up a stability program. The stability program contains measures that are necessary to put the deteriorating public finances in order. In this way, the budget deficit in 2013 can remain below 3%. The elaboration of the stability program will only become clear in the Spring Memorandum and on Budget Day.
read more
- Tax burden and entrepreneurship
- Savings tips, save money on family expenses
- The key to success is always in your own hands