International

Europe was hardly discussed during the campaign for the elections to the Netherlands' national parliament. During a debate on the state television channel NOS, SP leader Emile Roemer laid out his plans for how the EU could be made a more 'social Europe'. Other parties, particularly the right-wing VVD and the far right PVV, limited themselves to the issue of reducing the contribution to Brussels through spending cuts. But beyond that we heard very little about Europe, which is a pity, because in relation to every subject which was debated, and above all the cuts, Europe played a role in the background and will, perhaps, soon be playing an important role in the foreground.

In response to pressure from airlines the European Commission has opted to make it more difficult for air travellers to claim compensation for delays and other inconveniences. This became clear from leaked notes emanating from the section of the European Commission which deals with consumers' rights. Forms designed to aid consumers in claiming money back from airlines are becoming harder to get hold of. The SP today put questions both to the Commission in Brussels and to the government in The Hague, as Dennis de Jong, chair of the party's European Parliamentary group, explains: "You can't just let this pass. Consumers have rights in this matter and the Commission's consumer rights department should be helping them. If the airlines need aid they can request it in the normal fashion, but not at the expense of disappointed air travellers."