The 2017 elections are approaching. As a working parent, you probably have certain ideas about the future. Are you interested in politics and do you have clear views or are you still a floating voter? Read here the positions of the political parties on the themes purchasing power, childcare allowance, education and parental leave † Themes that are important to us, families with children. It is not my intention to give voting advice, far from it, but I do think it is important to explain the positions of the various parties for the elections 2017 - which are important to us.
Overview of the election programs of the political parties on the themes:purchasing power, childcare allowance, education and parental leave
Table of contents
Lately I've been getting more and more involved in politics. The elections in 2017 are coming up again. I think it is very important to vote. After all, we have the right to vote in this country and we must use it. But which party has the best intentions for working parents? That's not so easy to say. The positions of the parties (obviously) vary quite a bit on various subjects. That is why I have highlighted some topics. Read my blog and let me know which themes are important to you and whether you include this in your vote! I'm curious.
The good news is that all political parties hold the view that taxes on labor and income will be reduced. We, working mothers, are going to benefit from that. This means that families will benefit. In a general sense you can say that the purchasing power is improving , regardless of which party you vote for.
There is, however, a big difference in the degree of purchasing power growth. The SP scores highest here , Think scores lowest here. I find it striking and not unimportant to mention that the parties PVV, 50plus and the Party for the Animals have not had their financial picture calculated by the CPB. You can find extensive information about the purchasing power images in an article by de Volkskrant about calculating purchasing power.
There are various parties that have a specific position on child-related arrangements. For example, the PvdA wants the childcare allowance to go up † The CDA wants child benefit to go up and wants the child budget to go up † What really struck me:The SGP apparently wants more babies to be born † This party wants a baby bonus introduce 1000 euros for all parents who have a baby for the first time.
Last year it was already announced that some regulations will change, read more about this in the blog below.
Read also: Prince's Day and the plans for 2017
Education is a real theme during these 2017 elections, from Citotest to smaller classes. I mainly took out the points that relate to primary and secondary education.
The good news is that many parties want to invest extra in education for our children. Especially D'66 wants to invest heavily in education. It is not for nothing that the media call this party the champion of education. For example, D'66 wants teachers who face difficult classes to be rewarded extra, more janitors and more classroom assistants in schools.
Various parties want to reduce the classes. D'66, SP and Groen Links want classes of a maximum of 23 students primary school and therefore have a clear position for the elections of 2017. Some parties have a strong opinion about binding tests such as the Cito test. For example, D'66 and the SP indicate that they want to abolish these tests. The VVD and the PVV are right for this test. The SP and the PvdA are for broad first-year classes, where children of various levels sit together in the class. Another striking point from the PvdA's program is that they want schools to be open all day in the future from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. A godsend for working mothers!
Tip:Do you have a child who is studying, or are you going to study your child? Then take a look at the positions of various parties about the basic grant and public transport annual pass. There are also many differences in this!
Read also: Digital education, smart or not?
Maybe you got it last year. Parental leave and in particular paternity leave was a real issue in politics. And that's a good thing! In the Netherlands, things are very poorly organized with maternity and parental leave.
We mothers have to make do with 16 weeks, so 4 months of maternity leave when we have to give birth and have just brought a baby into the world. With jealousy I listened to stories of mothers in Sweden during my vacation there, who said that they could enjoy their baby at home for a year after birth.
Our men can already clap their hands that they get 5 days off since this year when their baby is born. Five days and then back to normal, off to work. That, of course, is still very tight. Think back to the time when you just had a baby. In any case, my husband was exhausted from the busy days with all kinds of care tasks, broken nights and sleep deprivation. And then just be present at work.
In any case, my vote goes to a party that is in favor of extension of paternity leave † Because I just wish every new father that, to be able to enjoy your baby for a period without work stress. The parties in favor of this:PvdA, D'66, Groen Links and the Party for the Animals † These parties want to give fathers (or partners) three months' leave. The CDA is not talking about paternity leave, but about three months of parental leave together † Mothers and fathers may share those three months. In short, parental leave is a real theme during these elections!
Sources:Various newspapers such as De Volkskrant, Het NRC, the Financieel Dagblad and various news websites such as Nu.nl and the websites of the various parties.
Image used via Shutterstock
