Greek crisis makes waves at The Hague

The Netherlands' annual "Accountability Debate" held on the third Wednesday in May, in which the Prime Minister defends the economic and financial policies of the preceding year, will be marked by populist politician Geert Wilders, who, as the NRC Handelsblad headline announces, "has latched onto the [Greek] crisis." The leader of Party for Freedom (PVV), which supports Mark Rutte’s liberal-conservative government, insists that “Greece is a bottomless pit,” and is demanding an end to any plans for further loans to Athens. The Rotterdam daily reports that Rutte has described this attitude as “irresponsible,” arguing that “the bankruptcy of Greece would have enormous consequences and all risks should be avoided.” NRC notes that this is also the opinion of Dutch Central Bank President Nout Wellink. For its part, Amsterdam's De Volkskrant points out that political tensions have increased due to the impending 23 May senatorial elections. “If the coalition doesn't obtain a majority [in the Senate], then it won't have to cede, in the long run, to PVV's demands [i.e. because the Senate could block them].”