This is what Reinier Castelein, chairman of the trade union, says De Unie.
"Trust in politics has never been lower. The purchasing power projections in this Budget Memorandum only increase this distrust," Castelein said.
"De Unie He's long since stopped believing in generic purchasing power projections because they always focus on model households. No one fits into those.
Castelein points out a number of topics that will receive attention in the near future.
The debate about mortgage interest deductions will play a role in election debates. Meanwhile, this only increases uncertainty for citizens. There's no clear explanation for how the defense budget should be funded, even though the Netherlands has committed to the 5% NATO standard.
But the list is much longer. "The promise of free childcare is impossible to achieve. Voters who voted for it in 2016 are already seeing their children go to secondary school. The tight labor market alone will ensure that there isn't room for every child. And that's not even considering how it will be paid for. Because there's no such thing as free. There's always a taxpayer who will be responsible."
This Prinsjesdag is different from other Prinsjesdags where a caretaker government is in office. This time, elections are being held immediately after the reading of the Speech from the Throne. "This means that politicians not only lack the public's trust, but also, in fact, undermine the King's dignity."
Regardless of the criticism the Royal Family sometimes receives, it is one of the last institutions with real authority, according to Castelein. "How wonderful it would be if the King were to throw out the Speech from the Throne written by the cabinet, say he doesn't accept this shoddy work and that he expects better next year, and then have a beer with the citizens along the procession in The Hague."
The purchasing power projections the King is discussing today will only be decided after the elections. By then, there will be a completely new parliament. "The new House of Representatives will soon be tinkering with those projections again. And that not only makes the purchasing power projections unsuitable, but it will also change them. And that makes today's purchasing power promise completely unbelievable."
