When will the general election be held?

Today the Rutte-Verhagen cabinet, now under resignation, debated on the crisis. There will be a general election but there is controversy about the date. Professor Voermans considers the arguments and requirements of the Dutch Election Law.

Wim Voermans • April 24, 2012

At the worst possible moment: Rutte cabinet crisis intensifies Dutch political dilemmas

The present Dutch cabinet crisis gives rise to difficult problems: how is the budget for 2013 to be settled with a crippled cabinet and upcoming elections? Professor Voermans argues that Dutch parliamentary history offers a precedent and some hope.

Wim Voermans • April 23, 2012

Dear prospective director, are you suitable for the job?

New regulation, which introduces a suitability assessment for executive and supervisory directors of financial institutions, will take effect from 1 July. This replaces the current policy rule on expertise knowledge. A potato – potahto replacement or more?

Tom Dijkhuizen • April 22, 2012

State aid is simply wrong

Although state aid can be a profitable business for governments and although it seems to save companies and safeguard employment, it should be abolished from our capitalistic system. State aid is simply wrong.

Jan Adriaanse • April 20, 2012 • 1 comment

Crime Policies; Dare to ask the basic questions

In the Netherlands more and more repressive crime policies are being introduced. However, the basic question 'is there a crime problem that should be tackled' is often not asked. An omission with undesirable consequences.

Monique Koemans • April 18, 2012 • 1 comment

Wanted: Evidence for criminal case (any reasonable price accepted)

The Passage-proces is the first big public trial under the Dutch key witness regulations. The ongoing hustle between Peter la S. and the Public Prosecution Service perfectly illustrates the shortcomings of regulations concerning Dutch key witnesses.

Janneke Vink and Sophie Vastenhout • April 18, 2012

I do solemnly swear…

Friday the 13th is, arguably, not a bad day to introduce measures to prevent disasters from happening again. The Dutch Finance Minister, Jan-Kees de Jager, chose this day to introduce reforms in the banking and financial services industries.

Barend Barentsen • April 17, 2012 • 4 comments

Foreign cases, competent courts

Libyan civil servants were involved in torturing a Palestinian doctor in Libya. They were held liable by a Dutch court. A European company was allegedly involved in human rights abuses in Nigeria. Is an American court competent to assess its liability?

Alex Geert Castermans • April 16, 2012 • 2 comments

Fortis: banks, fiduciary duties and the general interest

The Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal has made some interesting general statements about the fiduciary duties of the executive and supervisory boards of banks in the VEB/Ageas case. These statements will be addressed and evaluated.

Tom Dijkhuizen • April 13, 2012

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