Jetten says Dutch coalition has not ruled out higher taxes on wealth

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten says he sees no barrier within the governing coalition to considering a proposal for higher taxes on wealth and profits, despite the VVD’s opposition to the plan.

The proposal, put forward by opposition parties PRO and Volt during a tax debate, would use the extra revenue to ease the tax burden on workers. VVD MP Wendy van Eijk said it conflicted with the coalition agreement and called it “unthinkable” that the coalition would support the amendment.

Jetten said he had heard a coalition party say it would judge the proposal on its merits. He acknowledged that the decision would involve difficult political choices and could affect the coalition agreement and the balance between parties.