Three Dutch opposition parties offer budget support in return for tax relief

JA21, BBB and the SGP have offered to support the Dutch minority government’s budgets as well as its tax plan, provided it agrees to broad tax relief. The three opposition parties set out the proposal in a joint letter, while keeping their demands on asylum, nitrogen policy and medical-ethical issues in place.

The offer could give the government support for its plans in both chambers of parliament, the parties say. But their conditions expose significant differences with the coalition and could complicate efforts to secure backing.

JA21 continues to demand that municipalities not be compelled to receive asylum seekers. Asylum minister Bart van den Brink has repeatedly said he cannot promise this in writing because he must implement the law allowing mandatory distribution of asylum seekers among municipalities.

The SGP’s demands on abortion and surrogacy are unacceptable to D66, the largest government party, the report says. BBB has dropped its explicit demand that the government scrap its nitrogen policy, but wants it weakened. The cabinet has previously said such changes could put the issuing of permits at risk again.

JA21 and the SGP had already been negotiating with the minority government; BBB has now joined them. The parties call their offer “constructive”.

The cabinet has also held talks in recent days with opposition parties including PRO and Volt, which together could provide a majority in both chambers. The coalition remains divided over its preferred direction: D66 and the CDA favour seeking support from the left, while the VVD wants to look to the right. Most opposition parties have ruled out the broad majority the cabinet says it is seeking.