THE HAGUE, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday opened the parliamentary year with a call for compromise and stability amid ongoing political upheaval, placing migration and the economy at the center of his annual Speech from the Throne.
Delivering the address on the Prince's Day, which takes place on the third Tuesday of September, Willem-Alexander stressed that "getting migration under control is one of the biggest concerns in our country, and it remains as urgent as ever." He urged lawmakers to finalize the new migration legislation, a key issue that triggered the collapse of the four-party coalition this summer.
Despite low unemployment and rising household incomes, the King warned of a fragile economic outlook, citing declining business confidence and the risk of companies leaving the Netherlands. He pledged continued efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and to encourage investment in strategic sectors, including semiconductors and green energy.
"Our current rate of economic growth will be too low over time to maintain the level of our public services," he cautioned.
The King's speech came ahead of fresh elections scheduled for Oct. 29, following months of political turmoil. In June, the Party for Freedom (PVV) pulled out of the coalition in a dispute over asylum policy, triggering the government's collapse.
The government led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof was further weakened in August when all ministers from the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party resigned after Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp quit over restrictions on Dutch policy toward Israel. ■
