VVD and SP clash over who is acting irresponsibly in Dutch tax dispute

Dutch VVD leader Ruben Brekelmans and SP leader Jimmy Dijk clashed in parliament over whether it is irresponsible to oppose the tax plan, after Brekelmans said the VVD would vote against it if an opposition amendment passed.

Dijk pointed out that the VVD had repeatedly described voting against the plan as irresponsible. “What has changed?” he asked during Thursday’s debate.

Brekelmans said the amendment from PRO and Volt would shift €1 billion in tax burdens from workers to wealthier people, and argued that it would harm businesses, the investment climate and economic growth. He also said it conflicts with the coalition agreement. Coalition partners D66 and the CDA disagree on that point.

“So you’ll call yourself irresponsible, then?” Dijk asked. Brekelmans replied that he would consider it irresponsible to support a tax increase when, he said, many business owners did not know what might be in store for them.

The dispute comes amid a wider split in the governing coalition over the amendment. The VVD has questioned whether it can remain in the coalition if D66 and the CDA support the proposal, while Brekelmans has said the coalition needs a reset regardless of the vote’s outcome.