International

The Dutch defence industry is enormously important. At least in the eyes of the government. In reality the employment provided by this branch of sport goes somewhat against this image.

SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong has slammed the European Parliament's so-called Socialists and Democrats group, which brings together Labour and other centre-left parties, for their failure to vote in favour of granting gay couples the same rights as other co-habitees. "The SP does not believe that Brussels has the right to decide whether or not EU member states introduce gay marriage,” says De Jong. “This is a matter for national parliaments. Recognising the rights of people who live outside their country in other parts of the European Union, however, is another matter. A Dutch homosexual couple should have the rights granted to them under Dutch law, and they should keep these rights if they go to stay or to reside in another member state. This applies to very many legal contracts and this case should be no exception."