Austerity in the Netherlands: Political Party Majority & Recent Measures
Political parties generally hold different views on policies and have different goals. Following the different emphases, one can expect different political decisions, if different parties are in power. Whether this applies for austerity measures at the Dutch municipal level is the topic of this short paper. Therefore, the survey question on the party-political majority in the municipal council will be combined with the survey question on recent austerity measures. Due to participation rates, the analysis is limited to the VVD, PvdA, CDA and local political parties.
The recent overall cost-cutting efforts of the different political parties across all the policy areas are shown in the chart below. The scale ranges form -1 (Additional investments) to 4 (Savings to a very high extent).
The recent overall cost-cutting efforts of the different political parties across all the policy areas are shown in the chart below. The scale ranges form -1 (Additional investments) to 4 (Savings to a very high extent).
When comparing the values, it becomes discernible that the overall cuts in municipalities with a VVD, PvdA or CDA majority hardly differ and indicate roughly savings to a limited extent (value 1). In other words, the overall average cost-cutting efforts were about the same for municipalities lead by VVD, PvdA or CDA in the last five years. Municipalities where local parties held the majority in the municipal council implemented lower average savings.
While the average overall savings are similar for the groups of municipalities with political majorities of the three parties mentioned, differences might be found in the extent of cuts in the different policy areas. The following chart shows the average cuts in 13 different policy areas split up according to the four groups of political parties under research.
While the average overall savings are similar for the groups of municipalities with political majorities of the three parties mentioned, differences might be found in the extent of cuts in the different policy areas. The following chart shows the average cuts in 13 different policy areas split up according to the four groups of political parties under research.
VVD:
PvdA:
CDA:
Local parties:
The comparison of the four charts makes similar patterns realisable. All the values range between an unchanged budget (0) and savings to a medium extent (2). Negative values that would indicate additional average investments are not present.
VVD led municipalities realised the highest savings in the fields of culture, welfare and managing public space. The fewest cuts were found in safety, education, and traffic. Municipalities with a PvdA majority in the municipal council implemented the highest savings in the same policy areas as those with a VVD majority. Education and safety are two policy areas with the least savings in PvdA municipalities as well. Youth is the third of this group. For municipalities with a CDA majority and those led by a local party, the three top and bottom policy areas of savings are the same as in those led by the PvdA. Taking these facts into account, the differences regarding the political focus areas of the parties appear rather low again.
In summary, it can be stated that the party in power did not really matter for the recent average cuts in Dutch municipalities. The detailed analyses of the four groups of municipalities with the same political leadership resulted in very similar patterns of cuts. Fixed assets because of compulsory tasks, advice from the provinces or the national level and projects with a long duration might provide a partial explanation why Dutch municipal councils are restricted with the disposable part of their budget, at least on the short run, and therefore realised similar austerity measures in the last five years. Furthermore, it needs to be taken into account that the political landscape is fragmented in many municipalities. Thus, coalitions are more common than a single party holding an absolute majority. No single party is able to determine the course of policies and budget decisions independently and compromises are therefore necessary. Low content-related differences between the different parties, as observed in the survey, are the logical consequence.
VVD led municipalities realised the highest savings in the fields of culture, welfare and managing public space. The fewest cuts were found in safety, education, and traffic. Municipalities with a PvdA majority in the municipal council implemented the highest savings in the same policy areas as those with a VVD majority. Education and safety are two policy areas with the least savings in PvdA municipalities as well. Youth is the third of this group. For municipalities with a CDA majority and those led by a local party, the three top and bottom policy areas of savings are the same as in those led by the PvdA. Taking these facts into account, the differences regarding the political focus areas of the parties appear rather low again.
In summary, it can be stated that the party in power did not really matter for the recent average cuts in Dutch municipalities. The detailed analyses of the four groups of municipalities with the same political leadership resulted in very similar patterns of cuts. Fixed assets because of compulsory tasks, advice from the provinces or the national level and projects with a long duration might provide a partial explanation why Dutch municipal councils are restricted with the disposable part of their budget, at least on the short run, and therefore realised similar austerity measures in the last five years. Furthermore, it needs to be taken into account that the political landscape is fragmented in many municipalities. Thus, coalitions are more common than a single party holding an absolute majority. No single party is able to determine the course of policies and budget decisions independently and compromises are therefore necessary. Low content-related differences between the different parties, as observed in the survey, are the logical consequence.
