Coming Cabinets must “really keep a close eye on things,” said outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The new Cabinet must “sharply guide” the after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the effects of high inflation due to the Ukraine war, and the high gas prices. The Tweede Kamer will also have to pay attention to government finances in the coming period, starting with the budget debate on Wednesday and Thursday.
Dutch political party VVD said it is not enthusiastic about further increasing the mandatory minimum wage in 2024. Sophie Hermans, who leads the party in the Tweede Kamer, said she is against such an idea, but would rather divert more money for middle-income households instead.
Political leaders and labor organisations in the Netherlands reacted to King Willem-Alexander's speech which presented the government's plans for the next year. Many voiced concerns about the Cabinet’s commitment to tackling poverty, calling for bolder actions and a reevaluation of funding allocations.