The Senate is expected to approve the new pension law soon. With the support of PvdA and GroenLinks, Pensions Minister Carola Schouten has a majority. Opponents, including MP Bart van Kent of the PS, see the constitution as a last resort to prevent the vote.
The pension law, which lays the foundations for one of the biggest social reforms in decades, will also likely receive the necessary support in the Senate. From a debate earlier this month, the PvdA and GroenLinks parties are also in agreement.
But in The Hague a group of opponents are protesting in the hope of stopping the vote in extremis. “Our pensions are in grave danger,” says SP member Van Kent. “The Senate can’t pass that bill.” According to the member of Parliament, there are big risks involved. “We are threatening to trade the best pension system in the world for an uncertain casino pension.”
Opponents of the law fear that too great investment risks will be taken and believe that there are insufficient guarantees for pension savers.
Constitutional amendment
Van Kent sees the constitution as a last-ditch way to block the vote. ‘Because the law would also impact politicians’ pensions, a two-thirds majority is required to pass the law. This is because a constitutional amendment is needed in such a scenario. And that majority doesn’t exist.”
Even if the law passes, the stocking isn’t over, according to Van Kent. “They can do whatever they want today, but if a judge later rules that the vote was invalid, the law could fail.” Furthermore, according to the member of the PS, there is still a long way to go before the law passes to pension funds. ‘Even after the Senate, this story is not over.’
Whistles and horns
With Van Kent, several hundred people demonstrated outside the Senate building with boos and car horns. Some wanted to enter but were turned away by security at the door. The pension law is due to be adopted tonight.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
