News of: Wednesday, February 07 2007,
Today, the results of the formation negotiations for a new government in the Netherlands have been officially presented.
One of the measures that will be taken is a ban on smoking in cafes and restaurants before 2011. The exact date is yet unknown. Anti-smoking organization and the biggest trade union in Holland have already said they would rather see the ban become effective in 2007. Organizations of cafes and restaurants ask for a longer transitional period.
The ban on smoking is important for Amsterdam, as it has a worldwide reputation of having a liberal attitude toward smoking, particularly soft drugs such as marihuana. The smoking ban covers tobacco only, but may affect the position of the coffeeshops, the famous places where the sales and use of softdrugs is tolerated within certain limits.
The new government will be a coalition government of Christian Democrats, Social Democrats and a smaller party, the Christian Historical Union. This latter party is conservative on issues such as euthanasia, abortion and gay marriage, but more progressive on issues regarding taxaction, benefits for poor people, and the environment. Mr Peter-Jan Balkenende will become prime-minister for the 4th time in a row.
Other issues that are dealt with by the new government are (i.a.) about the state benefits for pensioners, a new environment tax for plane tickets, continued large investments in problematic neighbourhoods, more houses will be built, liberalization of the house rental market is off, the privatisation of airport Schiphol is off, no parliamentary investigation into the participation of the Netherlands in the war in Iraq, a general pardon for all asylum seekers who applied before April 2001, a ban on advertising for alcohol on radio and tv before 9pm, road pricing for cars (pay per kilometer), experiments with free public transport.
