Politics and Elections in the Netherlands: coalition agreement presented

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I wonder whether the PvdA will be back to 25-30 seats in 4 years if we get a centre-right government. It might happen, but GL will try to become the main left-wing party. I don't think GL's appeal is broad enough for that but we can't rule it out.

And I really can't see how Asscher stays on after losing 29 seats. Dijsselbloem will remain in politics (probably as a MP since I don't think the PvdA will be in government) and I think he has bigger ambitions than being a backbench MP. And they always can appoint Aboutaleb (the very popular mayor of Rotterdam) leader.

Wait, Djissembloem is from PvdA?!?
I always thought he was a right-wing politician given his hawkish budgetary stances...no wonder PvdA is getting slaughtered.

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I always thought he was a right-wing politician given his hawkish budgetary stances...no wonder PvdA is getting slaughtered.

wouldn't associate that so directly....some countries are much more fiscal conservatives than others and still got a left-right divide on many issues.

Ok, there are obviously cultural differences between countries, but you can't really call yourself a social democrat and be part of the PES while you constantly have such strong right-wing economic views.
Honestly, Djissembloem is just as conservative as Katainen or Schaeuble...and that's pretty much saying it all.

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Ok, there are obviously cultural differences between countries, but you can't really call yourself a social democrat and be part of the PES while you constantly have such strong right-wing economic views.

NL is paying a lot of money, didn't cheat re: its financial situation, wasn't in such a big crisis as other countries.....you are a leading member of a social-democratic party and next to you grows a far-right-wing populist party with left-wing economics...for the dutch....mostly voted for by your own former electorate.

what do you do? pushing the notion that we need to forgive and forget everything and save greece once more, even while politicans over there are calling your NAZI....or try to be center-center?

Seems like reverse causality to me...your former electorate is not voting you for some reason, and fully embracing austerity without even attempting to provide a progressive project seems a pretty good reason.

And that eventually leads you to losing some 20% in 5 years...

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Oh God, Djisellbloem is even more stupid than I thought...in an interview to German newspaper FAZ he said:
"During the crisis of the euro, the countries of the North have shown solidarity with the countries affected by the crisis.
As a Social Democrat, I attribute exceptional importance to solidarity. [But] you also have obligations. YOU CAN NOT SPEND ALL THE MONEY ON DRINKS AND WOMEN and then ask for help."

Now all of the European socialists want him out, not sure whether in Netherlands there has been the same reaction.

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Now all of the European socialists want him out, not sure whether in Netherlands there has been the same reaction.

The PvdA currently have other things to be concerned with... But I actually don't expect most people in the PvdA to be particularly angry with him over this. The entire incident has been overshadowed by the aftermath of the election, though. Not much coverage for this.

Well, if you're part of the 5% still voting for PvdA I guess you're ready for anything...