Dutch Youth Council: New coalition agreement pressures young people without solutions

The new coalition agreement in the Netherlands addresses issues affecting many young people but places high expectations and responsibilities on them without offering structural solutions, the National Youth Council said.

NJR Chair Lotte Prins acknowledged that the agreement includes "beautiful steps," but warned that she thinks it increases pressure on the younger generation.

She cited potential mandatory military service, housing market challenges, and concerns over social security for young people as areas where the agreement could create additional burdens.

"The coalition agreement risks increasing pressure on young people instead of enabling them to contribute to long-term solutions for our society," Prins said.

The NJR called on the government to develop a "robust" National Youth Strategy. The strategy has been in development for some time, but the council said the new cabinet now has the opportunity to use it to invest in a strong and resilient generation "that will carry the Netherlands in the coming decades."