Delhommais – Spending control, the Dutch safeguard

AThen in France the head of state, but also all those who aspire to replace him, displays an insatiable spending appetite, the legendary and often criticized frugality of Dutch governments is food for thought. Envy, too. The Netherlands are, it is true, fortunate to have a research institute that is as independent as it is respected, the CPB (Centraal Planbureau), which serves very usefully and effectively at each national election as a safeguard against economic demagogy and bulwark against financial irresponsibility.

First, even before the start of the campaign, the CPB draws up growth forecasts for the next four years of the legislature, which all the parties without exception use to construct their programmes. This method…