Dutch ELDR member VVD is gearing up for the early elections to be held on Wednesday 12 September. In his speech to the VVD Congress on Saturday, Dutch Prime Minister and VVD party leader Mark Rutte: "We live in uncertain times. That makes it more than ever before necessary for the VVD to be the reliable party which is willing to take responsibility and take tough decisions. Thank you for trust in making me once again the head of list in the upcoming elections. We want to continue to realise a healthy budget and a reliable government."
Party president Benk Korthals warned of a "hot political summer." Korthals: "The VVD should once again become the biggest party. That is in the interest of our country and in the interest of our party for Mark Rutte to become Prime Minister again. It is Mark Rutte who will ensure our victory, and we'll be helping him to realise that victory."
The full speech in Dutch.