The Netherlands has had to wait more than nine months for a new government but finally, on Wednesday, the four parties in the current center-based coalition have decided to renew their collaboration.

In The Hague, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte presented the plans for what should become his fourth consecutive term since 2010.

The formation of a new coalition in the Netherlands has never been as complicated, at a time when the public perception of politicians is at rock bottom. Restoring that trust with voters will be one of the missions of the new government.

But the new coalition also wants many social reforms – the minimum wage, already among the highest in the world, will be increased significantly.

There will be enormous investments in education to eliminate social differences and childcare will become free for almost everyone.

The Netherlands aims to spend an extra 60 billion euros ($68bn) in the coming 10 years to stimulate a transition to renewable energy. 

The country will build two new nuclear power plants before 2050, signaling a possibly radical shift in energy policy, as it seeks to keep a transition to a carbon-neutral economy on track. 

The last nuclear power plant was opened almost half a century ago, in 1973.

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The Netherlands will also construct at least a million new homes over the next decade to fight the housing crisis. There will be more European integration and the defense budget will increase by 25 percent.

Immigration is crucial as politicians look to solve the urgent labor shortage. 

Rutte will start looking for ministerial candidates. His new cabinet is expected to be sworn in by the second week of January at the earliest.

That means almost a year since the resignation of the last government over a childcare benefits scandal, Rutte will be able to start the huge task of restoring public confidence.

_{Cover image: Reuters/Louiza Vradi/File Photo}