More political parties asking to have election plans calculated for feasibility

Compared to the previous parliamentary elections, more parties plan to have their election plans reviewed by the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB). At least ten parties are planning on doing this. This is higher than the last time when eight parties did so. It is mostly the smaller opposition parties that will not have their manifestos reviewed, out of principle, or because they think it is too much trouble.

The CPB is an independent government agency that analyzes the financial impact of political parties’ election programs (manifestos). By “reviewing” or “calculating” these manifestos, the CPB estimates how much parties’ proposed policies would cost or save, helping voters understand the economic consequences.

The coalition parties NSC and BBB opted against doing this last time, but they will have their manifestos reviewed on this occasion. Both parties said during the previous election that they didn’t have the capacity; NSC had just been founded at the time, but now they do.

The PVV has not had its manifesto reviewed in recent years and has recently declined to answer repeated questions on the matter. The SP still criticizes what it calls the “neoliberal calculation models,” but is currently in talks with the CPB about possible participation.

The PvdD and the FVD do not usually participate out of principle and will also not do so on this occasion. “The global vision of the Partij voor de Dieren cannot be evaluated using the current parameters of the CPB,” a spokesperson explained.

DENK considers participation in the calculations too much work for a small parliamentary group. Party leader Stephan van Baarle criticizes the CPB’s calculation models but is “not strictly against” them. Other small parties like SGP, ChristenUnie, Volt, and JA21 will participate. However, even within these parties, it’s acknowledged that providing the required data takes a lot of time and effort.

GroenLinks-PvdA, VVD, D66, and CDA often cooperate, and they will continue to do so this year. “It is important that if you have plans, you know what they cost,” a D66 spokesperson said.

It is not guaranteed, however, that parties will cooperate with the calculations until the end, as they have the option to withdraw at any time.