Dutch right-wing parties say tax-plan deal remains possible

JA21, BBB and the SGP say they still see a way to reach an agreement with the Dutch government on its tax plan, after a Saturday online meeting in which they said the cabinet was trying to understand their demands.

The three parties’ support could help the minority government secure a majority in both chambers of parliament. But they have made it conditional on changes to asylum policy, nitrogen policy, abortion law and surrogacy rules. Prime Minister Rob Jetten said on Friday that the cabinet would not meet their non-financial demands.

After Friday’s meeting, JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans, BBB leader Henk Vermeer and SGP leader Chris Stoffer appeared irritated, according to ANP. Their statement after Saturday’s discussion struck a more hopeful note: “On both financial and non-financial issues, we see the cabinet trying to understand our positions as well as possible.”

The three parties have offered budget support in return for tax relief, while maintaining their demands on asylum, nitrogen and social issues. The government has been seeking a parliamentary majority for its tax plan since August; the three parties could provide one together with former BBB senators.

The House of Representatives is due to debate the tax plan again on Wednesday. Jetten says the cabinet will have a plan on Tuesday.