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The shift reflects the Dutch opposition's frustration at being forced to support endless half-measures that have failed to stem the crisis. Ronald Plasterk, Labour party spokesperson for financial affairs, said a deal would have to include a haircut on Greek debt of 50 per cent "at the very least" and include "convincing and effective" measures to strengthen the EFSF if it was to gain his party's support - on which the Dutch government relies to overcome the anti-Europe stance of the far-right PVV.
It must also institute strict oversight of the finances of countries that receive EFSF aid, along the lines of the proposal by Mark Rutte, prime minister, for a European commissioner of budget discipline. With Finland, the Netherlands has been among the strictest participants in negotiations to save the euro, insisting that private-sector investors bear much of the brunt of debt reductions, and that countries requesting aid submit to strict control over their budgets. But up to now, the Netherlands' rightwing minority government has managed to push every eurozone rescue package through its parliament, relying on an ad hoc coalition with pro-European leftwing parties.
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