The leader of the NSC party describes VVD's plans as a "direct attack" on Dutch social security.
Eddy van Heum, leader of the Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) party, sharply criticized the VVD party's new electoral program, describing it as "anti-social" and a "direct attack" on his party's policies. In an interview with De Stentor newspaper, van Heum accused VVD leader Dylan Jezielguz of targeting the foundations of the social security and healthcare system in the Netherlands.
The VVD party's plans include significant cuts to healthcare and social security budgets in the coming years. Van Heum criticized this approach, stating that the party is "using a blunt axe" against essential services relied upon by millions of Dutch citizens.
He emphasized that the NSC party's vision is to provide security for everyone — not just for workers, but also for retirees, the sick, and the disabled. He affirmed that these groups should be protected from austerity measures, not targeted by them.
The NSC party has not yet announced its electoral program, but the tensions between the two parties are already clear. Both NSC and VVD were part of the previous coalition government, which collapsed in early June after the withdrawal of the PVV party from its support, leading to a call for early elections.
The next general elections for the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) are scheduled to take place on October 29, 2025. Analysts expect that social security and healthcare issues will be a major battleground in the election, as voters will face a clear choice between parties advocating for cuts and those calling for enhanced protection.