The government must set realistic expectations. It must do what it promises and only promise what it can deliver. Otherwise citizens will get into difficulties and the Netherlands will become increasingly harder to govern. This is what the National Ombudsman, the Vice President of the Council of State and the President of the Court of Auditors wrote in a joint report to the political parties involved in the negotiation of a new coalition government. At the invitation of the negotiator, Reinier van Zutphen, Thom de Graaf and Pieter Duisenberg explained their recommendations to the party leaders of D66, VVD and CDA today.
Putting off problems
It often quickly becomes clear that government plans will be hard to implement, perhaps because there is insufficient money or staff or because proposals are at odds with international treaties. Nevertheless, they are still pursued and when they go wrong, implementing bodies, municipalities or the courts are left with the problems, and citizens ultimately bear the cost.
Citizens have to wait a long time for solutions, become entangled in complex regulations and remain uncertain about their future. This is the case with asylum policy, the benefit restoration operation, nitrogen policy and nature restoration. This erodes trust in the state and its credibility, even though a well functioning democracy and the rule of law depend on trust.
How things should be done
The government must set clear, achievable targets and be honest about what it can and cannot do. The High Councils of State also advise simplifying laws and regulations. Moreover, the government should explain in advance what decisions have to be taken, what they will cost and what their consequences will be. It must be evident whether measures are actually working and are not creating new problems. Implementing bodies and municipalities should be involved from the outset, so that problems are prevented rather than dealt with after they arise.
Working for a better government
The Netherlands is facing major challenges that call for a decisive government that collaborates well, listens and is willing to learn. Constructive criticism from parliament and the High Councils of State is part of that process. Policymakers, implementing bodies and public authorities need to involve each other more and listen to each other’s perspectives. Doing so leads to plans that work in practice and are relevant to citizens’ lives.
In this light, the High Councils of State organised a symposium on 1 December 2025 entitled ‘Towards a Realistic Government’. The joint report presents insights from representatives of implementing bodies, academia, public administration and civil society and contains concrete recommendations for a realistic government.
The joint report (in Dutch) of the High Councils of State to the parties involved in the negotiation of a new coalition government can be read here.