Working together is our joint mission

In this coalition agreement, three parties – D66, VVD and CDA – have set down agreements about the measures needed to get the Netherlands moving forward again. They have done so in the full knowledge that this government requires broader support in both houses of parliament than these three parties currently command themselves. This government’s success depends on the willingness to work with the House of Representatives and the Senate, subnational authorities and civil society organisations.

The Netherlands does not have a tradition of minority governments. In that regard we are entering uncharted territory. At the same time, there are other countries that have a great deal of experience in this area. Although it is impossible to make a direct comparison between the Dutch situation and, for example, a country like Denmark, which has a long tradition of minority governments, we can certainly learn from their experiences.

The most important lesson is to relearn the art of cooperation and consultation. First and foremost we have to restore the cooperation between the government and civil society organisations, trade unions and employer’s organisations, and subnational authorities, with due respect for one another’s different roles and responsibilities. In recent years this cooperation has deteriorated, even though we sorely need each other. A government can only make sensible policy if it has conferred with civil society organisations. Such consultation is also an expression of our desire that this government listen to all voices in society. Civil society has a key role to play between the government and everyone living in the Netherlands (including those who did not vote for D66, VVD or CDA) and between government and the business sector.

Relations with subnational authorities will also have to be restored. Good relations between central and local government are essential in order to deal effectively with big societal issues, as rightly noted in the report ‘Building Results Together’ (Samen bouwen aan resultaten) by the Study Group on Central-Local Government Relations. We aim to implement the building blocks and recommendations contained in that report, such as making clear agreements about tasks and financing, designing a feasibility test of government policy for subnational authorities, and engaging in regular consultations.

Secondly, the government will have to work differently with the House of Representatives and Senate. This will necessitate a cultural transformation in the way that individual members of the government deal with parliament and how the coalition parties deal with the other parliamentary parties. It will require a willingness to engage in discussion with all parliamentary parties about what is necessary to work together. This goes beyond mere practical exchanges. The key questions are what we want to achieve and where we can find points of commonality. We need a mutual understanding of what we can and cannot expect of each other.

We express the hope that the parliamentary parties in turn will be willing to assess this government’s proposals on their merits. We are seeking shared responsibility without thinking in terms of winners and losers on every issue. In our discussions with the heads of the parliamentary parties, we found most of them to be willing to do what is best for the Netherlands, and that gives us confidence that most politicians want to help address the problems facing our country. The government bears primary responsibility for submitting proposals and legislation, but it will always invite the House of Representatives – opposition MPs as well as members of the coalition parties – to offer input at an early stage, both formally and informally. It is conceivable that agreements will be made on some issues with parliament and civil society partners. The government will take the initiative in this regard, and all parties will be invited to participate. At the same time, this government hopes that it can count on the House of Representatives and civil society partners to help move the Netherlands forward. This way, we can achieve years of stable policy.