As stated in the Dutch Constitution, the monarch reads a Troonrede (Speech from the Throne) every third Tuesday of September, also called Prinsjesdag (Prince’s Day), to open the Dutch Parliamentary year. The speech is written by ministers of the current government and outlines the government’s outlook and plans for the coming year. The speech is followed by the Finance Minister’s presentation of the next year’s budget.

The following is an alternative Troonrede (Speech from the Throne) as would be delivered by the King in the Staten Generaal if it was written from the perspective of MERA25 Netherlands.

Members of the Staten Generaal,

Today I speak to you on behalf of a country that longs for security, for fairness, and for peace. Too often the words of this day have become empty, a ritual that praises budgetary discipline while people can no longer make ends meet and the world is on fire. Today I choose different words.

The Netherlands can only flourish if every person has security of existence. That is why my government presents a Budget that guarantees every adult an unconditional basic income and every child a contribution that secures their future. The maze of allowances, deductions, and bureaucracy will disappear. In its place will come simplicity and justice.

The Netherlands can only flourish if wealth is shared fairly. That is why large fortunes, multinationals, and inheritances will be taxed in a just and solidaristic way. The burden on low- and middle-income households will be eased. The tax system will once again become an instrument of solidarity, not of inequality.

The Netherlands can only flourish if we protect our planet. That is why at least two percent of our national income will be invested annually in the energy transition. Homes will be insulated, clean energy will become the norm, and free public transport will form the backbone of our mobility. We do not see climate policy as a burden, but as the condition for the survival of our society.

The Netherlands can only flourish if healthcare, education, and culture are accessible to all. Education, up to and including university, will be free of charge. Childcare will be free, allowing work and care to be better combined. Youth care will return to public hands, with sufficient resources and appreciation for those who support children. For art and culture we will structurally reserve two percent of the national budget, because culture is the oxygen of our democracy.

The Netherlands can only flourish if everyone can live in a safe and inclusive environment. That means neighborhoods where diversity is cherished, where every person can be themselves regardless of origin, faith, orientation, or background. It means a society without discrimination, with affordable housing and strong communities in which solidarity is the norm.

And the Netherlands can only flourish if we place peace at the center. Not only in words, but in deeds. That is why my government chooses a Ministry of Peace that prioritizes diplomacy and conflict prevention over the arms trade. The Netherlands will break military ties that contribute to war and will choose international solidarity. We will support those fleeing violence and work in Europe for a peaceful, sustainable, and social alternative.

Members of the Staten Generaal,

The true wealth of a nation does not lie in its budget surpluses or trade figures, but in the dignity and respect with which we treat one another, even when we disagree. It lies in the safe and inclusive society we build, and in the peace we manage to preserve. With this Budget, we lay a foundation for a society in which everyone counts, in which the earth is protected, and in which peace is no longer an ideal on the horizon but the daily practice of our actions.

I trust that you, in your deliberations, will support this course.

Carpe DiEM

Do you want to be informed of DiEM25's actions? Sign up here