Report: Ruling parties, opposition to back Greek bailout deal

The Tweede Kamer, lower house of Dutch parliament, is debating and voting on whether or not the Netherlands will give further financial aid to Greece this afternoon. At this stage it seems that the majority of the Kamer is for the proposal. So far the Coalition, VVD and PvdA, and the D66 have announced its support for further aid. The PVV and CDA will not back the proposal. CDA leader Sybrand Buma said after a brief meeting with his faction that his party has reached its limits with Greece, the Telegraaf reports. According to the christian democrats, a country who has shown for so long that it will not change should not "win". Buma believes it would be for the best if Athens leaves the eurozone. Ruling party VVD debated the Greek bailout during their retreat on Tuesday. The party decided that it would support further aid after all, thereby breaking Prime Minister Mark Rutte's election promise not to hand out any extra money. PvdA financial spokesperson Henk Nijboer conformed that his party was for an new loan during his chance to speak in the Kamer, according to NRC reporter Joost Pijpker, live from within the Tweede Kamer. He referred to other euro countries that needed money to survive over the past few years, like Ireland and Portugal. "After difficult years these countries are recovering." he said. "The PvdA believes that Greece can find its way up again. But this entails taking tough measures. For the Greeks, but also for the other euro countries." The D66 is also supporting the new loan. During his chance to speak, leader Alexander Pechtold took the opportunity to express his compliments to PvdA Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem of Finance for his role in negotiating the deal with Greece. According to Pechtold, the loan is the only option and anything else will only be more expensive. The PVV had the first words in the Tweede Kamer meeting today. Leader Geert Wilders confirmed that his party strongly opposes the deal. He started the meeting with harsh words directed at the Prime Minister. "We are here to prevent the Prime Minister exercising his main hobby tomorrow: endorsement to Greece", he said. Wilders referred to Rutte's election promise of no extra money for Athens. "But who stands ready to transfer money to Greece tomorrow? The Hague's Pinocchio. His nose already extends to Athens."