Balkenende: Europe Should Adopt Dutch “Polder Model”: Consensus system "sorely needed"
Jan Peter Balkenende. Photo courtesy of Radio Netherlands Worldwide
RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE: In an exclusive interview with the English Department of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced on Wednesday evening that he will suggest that other European countries adopt the Dutch "polder model" of government.

He will make the proposal during the European Union summit to be held in Brussels on 18 and 19 June.



Mr Balkenende believes that Europe sorely needs a system similar to the Dutch one, whereby employers, trade unions and governmental authorities meet and negotiate until they arrive at a consensus agreeable to all parties.



The Prime Minister says that this type of system is needed now more than ever since millions of workers in Europe risk losing their jobs and many companies are suffering record losses. 



It is extremely important that employers, workers and local and national governments are able to reach agreement on salaries, job protection, training schemes and taxation.



The Dutch Prime Minister and German Chancellor Angela Merkel support the introduction of a so-called "Rhine-Delta model" for Europe, which is extremely similar to the Dutch model. >>> By Herman Van Gelderen | Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Balkenende Mentioned as European Commission President
NRC HANDELSBLAD: The name of the Dutch prime minister keeps coming up in speculation about who the next president of the European Commission will be. When asked, Jan Peter Balkenende says he needs to finish his job in The Hague.

A well-connected source in Brussels this week said that: "I hear from all corners that he is in a good position." The source added that Balkenende is himself interested in the prestigious post.

However, the Dutch prime minister called the appearance of his name "remarkable." He said, "I understand that his issue came up in an interview between Dutch journalists with my colleague [minister of finance and deputy prime minister] Wouter Bos."

Balkenende said that it would be good for Europe if the current president of the commission Jose Manuel Barroso could extend his tenure beyond the fall. >>> News staff | Friday, January 23, 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback – The Netherlands) >>>