Dutch find Budget Day a valuable tradition, but unnecessary this year

Almost two thirds of Dutch think that Budget Day is a valuable tradition, according to a study by HR service provider Raet among 1,000 Dutch people. However, two out of three respondents think that Budget Day is completely unnecessary this year, RTL Nieuws reports.

With the government formation talks still ongoing, two thirds of Dutch think it unnecessary to have Budget Day tomorrow. The departing government is leaving all major decisions up to the new government. So there will be no exciting policy announcements in the Budget for 2018. More than half of the respondents think that this important parliamentary day should have been postponed until the new government is formed. Though that goes against Dutch law. Article 65 states that Budget Day falls on the Third Tuesday of September. This year that is tomorrow, September 19th.

Budget Day in itself is still extremely popular among Dutch. 65 percent consider it a valuable Dutch tradition. Among the elderly, 84 percent approve strongly of Budget Day.

Dutch women most look forward to Budget Day to see Queen Maxima (21 percent). Young people between 25 and 35 years most often look forward to seeing the hats worn by various Ministers. And 19 percent of young people born since 1992, are excited to catch a glimpse of princesses Amalia, Ariane and Alexia.