The Netherlands must be ready for serious economic

The Netherlands must be ready for serious economic setbacks, says King

The Netherlands must prepare itself for serious opportunities in life. That is unacceptable. The public debate economic setbacks, King Willem Alexander said last on this issue sometimes causes friction, but it can also help month during a national broadcast to his subjects in us move forward in the fight against discrimination, racism The Netherlands. This was a yearly address to commence and unequal treatment. the start of a new parliamentary year. Overcoming differences begins with being prepared to listen The Dutch economy and government finances are healthy to one another.’ The king also spoke of the need to make and financial buffers sure the government have been built up over is on the side of the the past few years which people, not against we can now benefit from, them, by referencing the king said. the damage caused to ‘Now we have to houses in Groningen by ready ourselves for the the gas drilling, and the consequences of a serious tax office child benefit economic setback, which scandal. will impact the economy ‘Investing in the quality and government finances of public services in the long term,’ he said. remains important,’ Trade would depend on he said. The corona how long corona virus virus crisis is testing keeps us in its grip, he us continually, in said. ‘But the recent everything of value, in figures and prognoses are unheard of in peace time,’ he said. ‘The economic setbacks facing our biggest King Willem-Alexander reads his speech, watched by queen Maxima and Prime Minister, Mark Rutte. Photo: Koen van Weel ANP our health, work, family and friendships, he said. ‘Now, in particular, we are being asked to European and global trading show responsibility and partners are in many cases even greater. For an open country unity… and everyone, young and old will have to play like the Netherlands, with its focus on trade and exports, their part in getting through this difficult period.’ ‘Our most this is an extra complication, especially in the wake of important source of reassurance is the economic, social and Brexit.’ Nevertheless, the government has opted not to cut psychological resilience our country continues to show,’ the spending but to invest in ‘keeping jobs, good services and king said. ‘The task ahead in the parliamentary year that a cleaner country,’ the king said, outlining the measures the begins in mid-September is to stay focused on the future government has already taken to offset the worst impact of beyond this crisis, and to keep working to create new corona virus on industries. prospects for every generation. The king went on to list a string of measures which the government plans to implement in the coming year, most of which had already been leaked. Crime, the king referred to the murder of lawyer Derk Wiersum, while mentioning that a new team to combat organized crime, which will include members of the armed forces, is being established. ‘There is another fundamental threat to the quality of the rule of law,’ the king said. ‘Too often, still, a person’s name or the colour of their skin determines their