Dutch newcomer New Social Contract (NSC) Party, leading in the polls ahead of the general election, pledged in its election manifesto on Tuesday to oppose further EU integration, according to Euractiv.
We do not advocate an ‘ever closer union.’ Within Europe, we advocate for a firm position from the Netherlands, constructive but realistic, without creeping transfers of tasks, powers and budgets that erode national sovereignty. The EU [should] only take action if it is more effective than national, regional or local action.
The party was founded in August by Pieter Omtzigt, a member of Parliament and the Council of Europe. He became famous in the Netherlands after trying to expose state abuses in the 2021 child benefit scandal.
The NSC Party calls for the government to be obliged to respect the opinion of the Dutch Parliament when voting at EU level through the introduction of an appropriate legal mechanism. The party criticises governments for ignoring the opinion of legislators on certain issues, such as the renewal of glyphosate.
It proposes to form a blocking minority with like-minded states in case of disagreement with certain EU legislative proposals. Politicians threaten that “the Netherlands will opt out and not participate in any new legislative or policy initiative” if such a blocking minority is not established.
In its programme, the NSC condemns the potential transformation of the EU into a so-called “transfer union” and strongly rejects EU co-borrowing and Euro bonds. The party calls on the ECB to end its asset purchase programme and “return to its original mandate.”
Its position coincides with the views of some EU member states that oppose proposals to increase the bloc’s long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Greater national sovereignty in financial aspects as well as enhanced EU co-operation to reduce dependence on third countries are the party’s key priorities.
The NSC supports NATO as “the anchor point of our defence policy” and intends to legally oblige the Netherlands to adhere to the military alliance’s spending target of 2% of national GDP.
The party favours continued military, economic and humanitarian support for Kyiv, while also stating that Ukraine should join the alliance “at a later stage.”
The Dutch elections will be held in November. Pieter Omtzigt’s party is currently leading in national polls. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s VVD and a combined Labour and Green List led by former EU climate chief Frans Timmermans provide worthy competition to Omtzigt.
