“The worst recession since the 1930s.”
“The situation is exceptionally grave.”
“This country faces a great ordeal.”
17 February 2009. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende
That was one month ago, when new figures showed just how badly the Dutch economy was doing.
I’ve never seen the prime minister look so somber or so glum. The weight of the world, or at least of the near term future of this small country, was on his shoulders.
Mr Balkenende said his coalition would renegotiate this year’s budget, and would do it fast. After more than six years at the helm, and five months since the financial sector collapsed, the prime minister’s moment had come. A strong, decisive leader would usher this country through the crisis.
That didn’t last long. The cabinet still hasn’t figured out what to do. If there ever was a sense of urgency, it’s long gone.
Mr Balkenende has retreated back into his comfort zone - letting everyone else talk things to death until some form of consensus emerges.
In fact, the prime minister is so relaxed these days, he had the time recently to sit in the plenary hall of parliament for nearly half an hour, waiting patiently for his turn to speak during parliament’s weekly question time.
When he finally took to the podium, he said he hoped the egg the cabinet was hatching would be ready by Easter. That would mean another month of indecisiveness.
If it takes that long, no matter what plan the cabinet presents, many will agree: the cabinet has laid an egg.
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