U bevindt zich op: Home › Government › Previous governments › Balkenende III Government Huidig dossier: Balkenende III Government

Policy statement

This is the translated text of the government statement of policy on taking office as delivered to the House of Representatives of the States General by the Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, on 7 July 2006.

Mr President,

Today a new government is introducing itself to this House. A government that intends to remain fully functional until the elections on 22 November. A government that is aware of its limits. But also a government that is motivated to build on the firm foundation laid by its predecessor - within the boundaries set by this House. That government carried through much-needed reforms. The public, the private sector and government all contributed together. 

We have achieved robust economic growth, greater competitiveness, sounder public finances, higher levels of consumer confidence and a low rate of inflation. The number of people with jobs is rising. The number of people dependent on benefits is falling. 

We have already made great progress towards reducing the impact of demographic ageing and keeping health care available to everyone, regardless of their age or state of health. 

New opportunities are arising. The world around us is in motion. The Netherlands must not, and cannot, stand still. 

It is partly for this reason that the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) wanted to form a fully-fledged government - despite the short period of office.

Mr President,

Our mediator, Ruud Lubbers, was instructed to investigate the feasibility of a fully-empowered government coalition of CDA and VVD, with one of its tasks being to pave the way for early elections. On the basis of the opinions of parliamentary parties and groups in this House, he concluded that such a coalition would be possible. 

That fully-fledged government has now been formed. And it has been formed quickly. 

I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound thanks to Mr Lubbers for his part in that. He did his work energetically and carefully. 

A careful approach is also central to this policy statement. Effectiveness cannot be seen in isolation from public support. The government that is presenting itself here today is keenly aware of its situation. In our parliamentary history, there are few examples of minority governments.

That is why it is important to exercise restraint and proceed carefully. But this government does want to make sure that the Netherlands can seize the opportunities that present themselves and that 2007 will not be a wasted year. A sound, fully-fledged budget for 2007 is essential for that purpose. 

So that again in 2007, more people find jobs. So that more people see their purchasing power improve. So that fewer burdensome rules stand in the way of businesses and individuals. So that we can achieve a balanced budget, or a surplus. 

Again in 2007, young people should have access to education that prepares them - and the Netherlands - for the future. Again in 2007, there should be high-quality, affordable care available to everyone. Again in 2007, more people should feel safe. At home and on the street.

We envisage a society in which people have plenty of opportunity for personal development. That means equipping people to take part in society. A society in which people are linked by mutual confidence and trust. 

Mr President,

This government was formed after the political party Democrats '66 (D66) withdrew its political support for the coalition government of CDA, VVD and D66. This was not the result of a conflict within that government. Nor was there any dispute between this House and that government over fundamental policy issues. The reason was a disagreement with the D66 parliamentary party about the policies of one particular minister. 

The members of that government belonging to D66 tendered their resignation. The other members tendered their positions to the Queen. 

At this juncture, I should thank the former members of government - Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst, Alexander Pechtold and Medy van der Laan - for their work while in office. Given his long and distinguished record of public service, Mr Brinkhorst deserves special mention. 

Mr President,

It proved possible to complete the mediation process and the formation of this government in a short time. A date was swiftly selected for the early elections. And there is a widely held view that this government should exercise restraint, in view of the short time remaining before the elections and the fact that it will have to seek a majority in this House for any proposals it submits.

The CDA and VVD have also exercised restraint in filling the vacancies within the government. The ministerial vacancies have been filled by other members of government: Joop Wijn and Atzo Nicolaï. The tasks of the state secretaries for finance, for European affairs, and for media and culture have been taken over by the ministers of finance, foreign affairs, and education, respectively. 

Bruno Bruins had already been appointed to fill the earlier vacancy resulting from Mark Rutte's departure, and he has now been sworn in as state secretary at the education ministry. 

Mr President,

This government's programme of work is clear: our priority is the 2007 budget. As usual, a good deal of preparatory work on that budget was done earlier in the year. 

Within this context, the mediator determined that a fully-fledged coalition of CDA and VVD would be judged on its actions in and by this House. The members of government will make sure that there is enough support for their proposals in both houses of the States General, and will of course pay close attention to the opinions of the Council of State. In any event, there is enough support for submitting a fully-fledged budget for 2007, for the tax plan and for continued discussion of the corporation tax reform bill.

Against this background, I agreed to form the new government, and this morning I delivered my final report to Her Majesty the Queen. 

During this debate, it is important to me to devote a few words to the military mission in Afghanistan. There was widespread support for that mission in this House. The new government will do its utmost to make the mission as successful as possible. As of 1 August, our soldiers have a demanding and difficult job to do in Uruzgan. They are entitled to our unreserved support.

Mr President,

The government is looking forward to productive cooperation and consultation with this House, and we are aware of the limitations upon us. 

But of course, there are also opportunities. This government's main objective is to keep strengthening the Netherlands' financial, social and economic position. For the present and for the future.

The Netherlands is working again - after a difficult period. We must maintain our momentum. And so this government is thankful that in the next few months we will have every opportunity to make that happen, in partnership with this House.