Volt: With a straight leg towards a “radical future”

Volt’s leader, Laurence Dassin, has just presented a draft of his party’s election platform at the Newsport press center in The Hague. “It’s time to make big changes to the system,” says Dasen. In this way, Volt wants to defuse the many crises and offer radical prospects for the future.

Speaking of radical: This word appears no less than eight times in the concept. “The future starts now,” says party leader Rob Kiegeser, who describes the program as “a positive point on the horizon.” Volt’s electoral plan consists of five points, all of them radical. It is financed by corporations, the wealthy, and polluters.

One Europe

Radical for one Europe. Wohlt does not believe that the Netherlands is able to face the challenges of the twenty-first century alone, because that requires a strong Europe. In effect, Volt seeks to create a “United States of Europe”, a federal and democratic Europe, complete with its own army.

Dasen explains to political correspondent Mats Ackermann how this takes shape in constitutional law. “With a European parliamentary democracy, as is the case in the Netherlands. You elect a parliament, and from there comes a European government. According to Dasen, this will lead to more citizen influence on Europe and speed up the decision-making process. “This is very important because now we need a strong and independent Europe.” ”

climate

Also radical is Folt’s climate approach, which he describes as “no taboos.” The ambition is therefore to be able to classify both the Netherlands and Europe as climate neutral by 2040. This means saying goodbye to short-haul flights and private jets, which will be banned, as well as disposing of unused cargo. Fossil subsidies will be stopped, and the party wants to use this money for green investments. Polluting industries will have to close down until they become sufficiently sustainable. “We’ve been putting off these choices for too long, and the urgency is getting greater and greater,” says Dasen.

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The party is committed to green industries “built on sustainability and justice” rather than “exploitation of people and planet.” This includes new job opportunities, climate positive cities, and the European high-speed train network.

Equal opportunities

Volt will create equal opportunities for all Europeans. The starting point is a (radically) different view of humanity, in which “trust in the human dimension as a norm” is fundamental. Anyone with questionable debts can count on national debt forgiveness, and the party wants to increase social assistance and the social minimum.

Volt wants to move towards a European social union with “equal pay for equal work” and guaranteed employee rights, where every European is guaranteed “dignified living conditions.”

The new social and economic system

Volt opted for a “total social and economic revolution,” in which social, human, and natural needs should take center stage. This means that labor must pay more and that wealth, pollution and corporations are taxed more. The same applies to the Volt: the strongest shoulders carry the heaviest loads.

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Financial cleaning

The party also places a major cap on allowances, tax credits, deductions, exemptions and premiums for employers and employees. There will be a new basic allowance that should be a precursor to basic income. To compensate for this unpleasant loss to the government, Volt wants to amend the income tax. “Now eliminate those allowances, those fees, and make sure there is a clear allowance for everyone,” Dasen says.

Also the past tense Fast fashion And destruction of unused goods. At the same time, the right to repair is expanded.

Radical for democracy

Volt democracy in the 21st century not only gives citizens more influence, but also “delivers” its services faster. It assumes its role in the rapidly changing digital landscape. This means that from now on 16-year-olds will be allowed to vote and there will be a so-called generation test. This test “weighs” the consequences of the policy for future generations.

Also new is the permanent Citizens’ Council, which allows citizens to directly influence policy. It is not known how this will take shape and whether it has already been detailed in any way. Finally, there will be a Minister of Digital Affairs, who will, for example, direct developments in the field of artificial intelligence.

How does Dassin want to finance all this? “We want companies to be taxed more, pollution to be taxed more, assets to be taxed more (…) You can of course get some of that, but by simplifying we can also save a lot of money and by By investing in the future you can also save a lot of money.” Ensure that the economy can support this.