Queen Beatrix Opens Parliament

Reuters

Yesterday, Dutch Queen Beatrix opened the parliamentary year with a speech from the throne. From there, she told the Netherlands about the budget cuts to be made in the economy due to the world economic crisis.

“People are losing their jobs, the number of bankruptcies is rising quickly, assets built up over years are shrinking and government finances are unavoidably showing large deficits,” the Queen said at the Hall of Knights in The Hague. Her speech – the 30th time she has done so – was written by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s centrist coalition government.

“Our country faces an extraordinary, but in no way impossible, task,” she continued.

“Even with an average economic growth rate of 2 percent the state’s debt will increase by about 35 billion euros annually.”

The government will also look at spending cuts of up to 20 percent in some policy areas, the Queen added.

“if (budgetary) policy is not changed, serious and undesirable results will arise for the level of taxes and the affordability of services such as health care, education and pensions.”

After delivering her speech, the Queen and her family went to Noordeinde Palace and went out onto the balcony to wave at the large crowds below.

Security was extra tight this year for the opening of Parliament. Because of the failed attack on the royal family in April, there were barriers and extra policemen on the streets of The Hague.