NIS: Dutch Gloomy On Social Climate

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Dutch Gloomy On Social Climate

THE HAGUE, 19/09/06 - The Dutch are gloomy about the social climate in their country. They are particularly worried about insecurity on the street and in other public places, according to a poll by Newcom Research & Consultancy. Nearly seven in 10 (68 percent) of those polled consider the social climate in the country has deteriorated in the past three years. Additionally, 52 percent expect it to worsen further in the next three years. Respondents are most worried about safety (crime) on the street (47 percent), the different cultures in society (43 percent), the quality of education (43 percent) and integration of minorities (41 percent). They are least concerned about alcohol abuse (16 percent) and natural disasters (12 percent).

With an eye to upcoming elections, respondents were asked what they considered the political parties find important subjects. Healthcare and social facilities were most often named in this connection (72 and 64 percent respectively). The least important subjects are sports and defense (8 and 5 percent respectively). EU-Digest comment: With military (defense) at the bottom on the Dutch population list of priorities, the Netherlands Government continues a policy of disproportion spending on military activities, such as the participation of the Dutch military in Afghanistan.