Brekelmans says Dutch coalition needs reset regardless of tax vote

VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans says the Dutch governing coalition needs a “fundamental reset” regardless of how MPs vote on a tax amendment later on Thursday, taking a broader line than party leader Dilan Yeşilgöz had set out.

The amendment from opposition parties PRO and Volt would shift €1 billion in tax burdens from workers to wealthier people. Yeşilgöz said a reset would be needed only if coalition partners D66 and the CDA backed it. Brekelmans said the coalition had to change whatever the vote’s outcome.

“As things have gone over the past months and days, it cannot continue like this,” he said.

The statement follows a dispute over what Yeşilgöz means by a reset. CDA leader Henri Bontenbal has called for coalition talks to clarify the proposal, amid disagreement over whether the tax plan conflicts with the coalition agreement. Bontenbal’s call for talks came after Yeşilgöz linked a reset to the vote on the amendment.