On Saturday 2 October, more than two hundred fifty thousand people marched through Amsterdam against plans of the Dutch government to slash social services and pension rights, as well as its support for the US in Iraq.
It was the largest trade union demonstration in Dutch history.
Besides the three Dutch trade union federations FNV, CNV (Christian), and MHP (higher and middle level employees), about 500 big and smaller organisations also participated (political parties, refugees rights organisations etc). The Keer het Tij (Turn the Tide) platform includes these 500 organisations.
According to public opinion polls, if there would be new elections now, Prime Minister Balkenende's three party coalition would lose its majority to opposition parties to its left.
