World Briefing | Europe: The Netherlands: Budget Deal Meets European Union's Targets
International Herald Tribune Thursday 26th April, 2012
The Netherlands defied expectations of a prolonged budget crisis on Thursday, rolling out an agreement to meet European Union mandates less than a week after a dispute over austerity measures led to the collapse of Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government. That collapse opened the door to elections in September that could help decide the future of the euro. Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager said the budget deal brought the target for reducing the deficit next year to 3 percent of gross domestic product "into sight. " Parliament was expected to debate the measures late into the night Thursday, but with the backing of 77 votes in the 150-seat lower house, the budget put forth by Mr Rutte, who will serve in a caretaker capacity until elections, appeared certain to go through essentially intact.
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