Economic recovery "fragile": Finance Minister Dijsselbloem

The recent figures from the Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) show that the recover after the crisis in The Netherlands is definite, but "fragile", Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem says. Coalition parties VVD and PvdA see the recovery as positive as well, though warn of uncertainties due to the international situation, the NOS reports. Minister Dijsselbloem emphasizes that unemployment is still high, and that the crisis in Ukraine, as well as the situation in other countries remain a risk to the Dutch economy. The Minister says that government finances are not yet in order, and that a deficit close to two percent is not an end. The CPB's figures will be used by the Cabinet in the run-up to Prinsjesdag, which is when the government will make its plans for the coming year known. Discussions about this will launch on Monday. Both coalition parties VVD and PvdA see improvement, but emphasize that uncertainties due to the international situation are still risky. Both parties do emphasize that there do not need to be further cuts. MP for the VVD, Mark Harbers, hopes that the Cabinet will lessen the burdens, but also pleads for a "cautious budget." Harbers believes that austerity measures should not be hastily lifted, and that the budget has to be determined such that the government could "bear a burden." The PvdA believes jobs should be the biggest priority to come from the recovery. Spokespersin Nijboer wants attention be paid especially to those with low- and middle-incomes. For the CDA, the CPB's figures only show how fragile the coming half-year will be for the economy. Prudence is the word for party-leader Buma, and the budget deficit must not rise further. "We shouldn't go burning money." He wants the government to spend less, and that the taxes go down, the NOS writes. The D66, ChristenUnie and SGP echo that burdens must be lowered next year, which should make space for jobs. These parties also believe that there is no need for more cuts, though admit that the recovery is fragile.