The Dutch government has failed to win a majority in the Senate. This is a significant blow as it tries to steer through massive spending cuts and a reform agenda in the wake of the financial crisis.
The three parties supporting Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government took 37 of the 75 seats in the Senate. This falls one seat short of the majority the government so badly wanted.
The loss spells trouble for the coalition comprising Mr Rutte’s conservative VVD, the Christian Democrats and Geert Wilders’ controversial Freedom Party. While a majority in the Senate is not strictly necessary to continue governing, the lack of one will make it difficult to pass legislation and follow through on proposals.
Official election results come on Wednesday, though it’s unlikely they will differ.
Right-wing Christian support
To carry out its agenda, the government will now heavily rely on the SGP, a small right-wing Christian party.
If the SGP’s support does not prove forthcoming on a given issue, Mr Rutte will be forced to shop around among other parties, endeavouring to cobble together majorities.
Should this prove unworkable, he may be forced to take some difficult decisions when the legislative year begins in the autumn. This may mean calling new elections, although the prime minister will do his best to avoid that option.
Rough times
Despite having exerted significant effort on this Senate election, he has come up short. With just one seat, Mr Rutte’s cabinet enjoys the slimmest possible majority in the House of Representatives. And that includes non-coalition support from the Freedom Party.
Now the coalition parties have failed to gain a Senate majority.
Back last autumn, when Mr Rutte was building this cabinet, he emphasized the importance of gaining a Senate majority. He assured sceptics that his coalition would succeed.
Today he been stymied. The coalition is in for some rough times ahead.
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/tr...tch-government
What will the SGP do.
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Originally Posted by A.J.P. Taylor
