AMSTERDAM (AP) — One of the leading candidates in the upcoming Dutch national elections has said he would not feel bound by Europe's rule to keep budget deficits within a certain limit if elected prime minister.
Emile Roemer, the leader of the Socialist Party is neck-and-neck with Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative party in early polls ahead of September 12 elections.
In an interview with Het Financieele Dagblad published Thursday Roemer said it was "idiocy" to fixate on meeting the rule in 2013. The rule requiring governments to keep budget deficits below 3 percent of GDP has often been flouted since the euro was introduced in 1999.
Roemer noted the Netherlands is the biggest contributor to EU funds by size of population.
Rutte's cabinet collapsed in April over its determination to meet the limit.
