International

As a result of the world-wide process of neoliberal globalisation and the disappearance of the East Bloc as a rival superpower, advocates of the free market have the upper hand almost everywhere. Nationalist and right-populist parties with their 'own people first' message are generally enjoying more success in spreading their political message than are socialist parties and movements.

It's beyond belief that the new government is doing nothing for the one in nine children growing up in poverty in the Netherlands, yet has chosen to make a gift of €1.4 billion to foreign investors and multinationals. This was the theme running through SP Senator Bastiaan van Apeldoorn's speech in the Senate during today's debate on the budget for the coming period.

Van Apeldoorn wants to know how the government will be implementing the motion proposed by his SP colleague Tiny Kox and approved last week by a majority in the Senate. The motion calls for the government to come up with a concrete plan to address child poverty in the Netherlands. Below are a résumé of and selections from Senator van Apeldoorn's contribution to the debate.