Netherlands King Warns: Dutch Welfare State Gone

(Vatican Radio) In his first major public address, the recently crowned Dutch King Willem-Alexander has warned his subjects that the welfare state of the 20th century is gone.

Listen to this report by correspondent Stefan Bos:

While still traveling past waving fans in an ornate horse-drawn carriage to the 13th-century Hall of Knights in The Hague, the monarch's traditional speech on the government's budget was gloomy.

In televised remarks, King Willem-Alexander said the traditional welfare state that has made the Netherlands famous is coming to an end.


"In its place," he said speaking carefully, a "participation society" is emerging, "in which people must take responsibility for their own future and create their own social and financial safety nets, with less help from the national government."

He stressed that, "The classic welfare state of the second half of the 20th century in these areas in particular brought forth arrangements that are unsustainable in their current form."


OWN CHOICES

The people, he added, "want to make their own choices, determine their own lives and care for each other." This, the king said, was the reasoning behind the government's decision to decentralize youth services, home care and job creation, amid billions of dollars in cuts.

He thanked his mother former Queen Beatrix, who oversaw the start of that transition, before abdicating in April when he ascended to the throne.

The king began his speech on a personal note, commenting on the start of his kingship at the end of April. He also noted the recent death of his brother Friso, during which he appeared visibly moved.

King Willem-Alexander spoke during what is known as "Prinsjesdag" in the Netherlands, the day the government presents its annual budget.

Critics say Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the first Dutch Liberal leader in nearly a century, may be hoping that Tuesday's pomp and ceremony surrounding the king and his popular wife, Queen Maxima, provides a diversion from the gloomy reality of a budget full of unpopular new spending cuts.