PRO and Volt join forces for Dutch budget negotiations

Progressief Nederland (PRO) and Volt announced on Friday, 25 September, that they would negotiate jointly with the Dutch government over its 2027 budget, ANP reported. Support from both opposition parties would give the minority government a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. [1]

The government is due to resume talks with opposition parties over the weekend. Prime Minister Rob Jetten said on Friday that a new government proposal covered three areas: purchasing power, social security and wealth taxation. [1]

PRO leader Jesse Klaver and Volt leader Laurens Dassen are set to hold their talks together with Jetten and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen. The ministers also plan to speak to JA21, SGP, ChristenUnie, 50PLUS and BBB as they seek backing from parties on both the left and the right. [1]

The earlier budget proposals, presented on Prinsjesdag, the Dutch budget day, had failed to secure a pledge of support from any opposition party. [1]

JA21 and SGP had already taken a joint negotiating approach in talks before Prinsjesdag. Their backing would give the government a majority in the House of Representatives, but not in the Senate — making support from PRO and Volt a route to securing majorities in both chambers. [1]