The CDA has left the political centre where it seemed destined to remain forever. The conservative right-wing, which Mr Balkenende represents, is now in control of the party as a whole.
Not everyone in the ranks agrees with this position. To a large number of party members, the choice for a free-market policy was not an obvious one. These members want to return to the old, more socially minded policies envisioned by the founders of the CDA, as a hinge between the left and the right. After the recent local elections, the message was that the party should allow its socially-minded policies to regain their former dominance.
The party's economic policies in particular were deemed too harsh. But in the eyes of the CDA leader, his policies are socially-minded. Mr Balkenende feels the CDA's current approach is a logical one: a Christian social vision implies being concerned about the future, not just about today. He believes financial issues have to be dealt with sooner rather than later, to avoid bitter social conflicts later on. According to his reasoning, the drastic reforms implemented in the past four years were necessary to get the Netherlands back on course.
Mr Balkenende (photo) was the one who put standards and values in the spotlight, placing the CDA in the vanguard of a campaign for a return to decency and respect in Dutch society. He appears to have been successful. A recent opinion poll shows that 87 percent of the Dutch approve of Mr Balkenende focusing attention on the issue. More than 90 percent favour a continued debate on standards and values.
And yet it was not Mr Balkenende himself who initiated this discussion, which has greatly occupied Dutch society. The populist politician Pim Fortuyn, who was killed by an animal rights activist in 2002, was actually the first to squarely address the lack of respect among both native Dutch people and migrants. However, Mr Balkenende can take credit for giving the issue a name and insisting that a discussion should be held.
Neck-and-neck
After four years with Mr Balkenende at the helm, his party can now reap the rewards. The economy is back on its feet and law and order in the Netherlands has improved. His party is currently engaged in a neck-and-neck race with the social democratic opposition Labour party, the PvdA.
The CDA can rely on a large and deeply loyal but ageing following. But there is also a substantial group of floating voters who would just as easily vote for the PvdA, the fundamental Christian Union or the liberal democratic party D66. Mr Balkenende is not expected to return as prime minister should the PvdA become the largest party, even if the CDA were to be part of the next government coalition.
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Main points of the CDA election programme The family is the cornerstone of society, it is where the nation's children - its future - are raised. This is why the party wants to increase child support and make child care more accessible. |
* RNW Internet translation (GSH)
Tags: Balkenende, campaign, CDA, Christian Democrat, Democrats, Dutch, elections, manifesto, norms, parties, politics, poltical, promises, standards, values