Dutch PM to campaign on even more spending cuts

The Dutch caretaker prime minister has unveiled his party's platform for upcoming elections, proposing more cuts to social security, healthcare and development aid.

According to a statement by Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party Friday, he wants to cut €24 billion euros ($30 billion) by 2017 — around 9 percent down on 2012 levels.

Rutte's government collapsed in April after far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled support, saying Rutte was making unwise cuts to meet the 3 percent budget deficit limit mandated by European rules.

While awaiting new elections Sept. 12, a coalition in Parliament led by the VVD agreed a 2013 budget adhering to European rules.

Rutte's VVD is in second place in recent polls, behind the Socialist Party and ahead of Wilders' Freedom Party. Both reject the 3 percent limit.