The Netherlands and the EU: Strengthening but Not Centralising the EU

Abstract

Despite its shifting reputation from a relatively supportive to a more eurosceptic country, the Netherlands has been pragmatic and constructive throughout the euro and the migration crises. Some issues stand out from the Dutch debates: the EU is of fundamental importance for economic and security reasons, and the euro needs to be stabilized. Although sometimes met with serious reservations, the Netherlands pragmatically supported Juncker’s ambitious investment plans (the European Fund for Strategic Investments [EFSI]), the rescue mechanisms (the European Financial Stability Facility [EFSF] and European Stability Mechanism [ESM]), and strengthening the Commission’s economic supervisory roles. In addition, the Netherlands was one of the major architects of the ‘Turkey deal’ on migration.