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Lots commentators tweeting about Rutte focus on him being driven by lack of trust in Commission to enforce etc. Maybe. As political scientist, I see his position as perfectly compatible with his party’s ideology & strategic incentives >>>
Ideologically it combines his party’s stance on austerity (see similar position on Antilles) + Euroscepticism which is historically much more Tory-like than CDA. Strategically, he wants to expand his prime minister party crisis bump by strategic signalling ahead of election. >>
Shouldn’t we be more focussed on a) Eurosceptic turn in CDA which was traditionally much more pro & still has those wings + b) inability of coalition partners to leave much of a mark on his position? >>
The fact that Rutte is focussing on cuts and conditionality that may reduce future-focussed investment on greening , digitalisation etc. should not be surprising given his political stripes. >>
What seems more of break to me is his style. It just seems like consensual style politics that characterised Dutch politics domestically & abroad has given way to more adversarial style which is usually associated with Westminster & British model of negotiation. >>
@pbergsen
observations on how NL seems to be repeating some UK moves seems to point in similar direction. Anyhow, this seems to me to be the most interesting thing to watch the coming time.
Is this style break simply electorally motivated or part of something more profound?
observations on how NL seems to be repeating some UK moves seems to point in similar direction. Anyhow, this seems to me to be the most interesting thing to watch the coming time.
Is this style break simply electorally motivated or part of something more profound?
