Chalk and Cheese

For those of you who are not Dutch, but have a passing interest in the outcome of the recent Dutch elections, here’s a useful article about the process that is being followed to form the next Dutch government. The problem that we have is that the parties involved in forming the coalition hold radically opposing views, so don’t expect a new government to be announced any time soon.

 

Oh, and yesterday I had a telephone call from a civil servant at the local townhall to tell me that my application to become a Dutch citizen has been approved. So I can trot down there next week, sign a few papers and pay my 133 Euros and then I’ll have dual nationality. Apparently there’s even going to be some sort of ceremony held the day after my birthday in January to mark the fact. Doubtless there’ll be a little group of disparate people gathered in front of the mayor, who will deliver a little speech at us, followed by coffee and cakes. All very homely, and typically Dutch.