Nieuws van de afdeling

29 May 2013

European Commission recommendations are bad news for working people and small firms

The European Commission today presented a number of country-specific recommendations in the framework of the so-called European Semester, a new system of ‘economic governance’ under which eurozone countries will be obliged to present their budgetary and economic policies to the Commission for approval. The aim is to ensure that these should be coordinated in advance of implementation and that they are in line with both the Stability and Growth Pact and the Europe 2020 strategy. What is not new, however, as SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong points out, is that ‘the European Commission is sticking to its austerity policies despite it now being clear that these will only make the economic crisis worse. Not only that, but they want to force through their long-cherished dream of Americanising the labour market in Europe, while for small- and medium-sized businesses also they have nothing good to offer.’

29 May 2013

SP leader Emile Roemer: ‘Government must reject Brussels’ kamikaze politics’

In SP leader Emile Roemer’s view, the European Commission’s recommendations for the Netherlands’ economy are completely misguided. ‘Six to seven billion in additional spending cuts next year adds up to kamikaze politics. I expect the government to reject these recommendations. If they don’t do so, they’ll be heading straight for higher unemployment, more demands for income support, and greater deficits. In which case, as far as I’m concerned it would be better if the government were to resign.’

28 May 2013

Van Bommel: ‘Lifting arms embargo on Syria is overture to increased violence’

SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel believes that lifting the arms embargo on Syria is from all points of view the wrong choice and fears that in practice it will lead to more violence. ‘At the very time when the United States and Russia have joined forces to organise a peace conference, the EU decides to let the arms embargo expire,’ says Van Bommel. ‘Worse timing is hard to imagine. This peace conference is the first hopeful diplomatic development for some months, but the EU’s decision will greatly undermine the conference’s chances. This decision could represent the overture to the peace conference’s failure.’

24 May 2013

SP launches attack on international tax evasion

On Friday, during the first SP Tax Free Tour, SP Member of Parliament Arnold Merkies presented eight proposals designed to tackle international tax evasion. The aim of the proposals is to prevent corporations registering themselves in the Netherlands with the sole purpose of evading taxes, as well as to see the international approach to tax evasion strengthened.

24 May 2013

Van Bommel: ‘International Criminal Court must be strengthened’

The International Criminal Court (ICC) must be strengthened. This was the conclusion to which SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel came today, following a working visit to the Court in The Hague. In Van Bommel’s assessment the credibility of this important institution will be at risk should no more staff and financial resources be allocated to it. ‘The ICC has reached the limits of its present capacity,’ says Van Bommel. ‘It would be scandalous if in the near future this were to mean that no more cases could be taken on.’

22 May 2013

Poison gas supplied to Syria: Van Bommel demands explanation

SP member of Parliament Harry van Bommel has asked the government for its comments on the report that Syria was until at least 2010 importing raw materials from which chemical weapons may have been produced. ‘For some years it’s been known that Syria has access to such weapons,’ says Van Bommel. ‘Despite this the raw material for the poison gas has been imported into the country without hindrance. That’s unacceptable, so I’m asking the government if it can account for it.’

International