Paternotte offers BBB talks on spending, not nitrogen policy

D66 parliamentary leader Jan Paternotte offered to discuss ways of accommodating the BBB on how public money is spent, but not on nitrogen policy, during a Dutch parliamentary debate on the tax plan. BBB leader Henk Vermeer called the offer hollow, saying Paternotte had also criticised his party while seeking further talks.

Paternotte asked Vermeer whether they could look at other areas where the BBB’s priorities might be addressed in next year’s spending. Vermeer replied that the appeal for co-operation was “nonsense” if Paternotte was making sharp accusations against the BBB at the same time.

“He says the BBB doesn’t want a solution to the nitrogen crisis, but he called last night to talk further and continue the discussions,” Vermeer said.

The exchange came amid negotiations over the government’s tax plan, which the BBB has tied to changes in nitrogen policy. In an earlier round of talks, Vermeer said he saw some movement on the tax plan but none on nitrogen, and that his party wanted changes to the government’s approach. Earlier reporting on the BBB’s conditions set out that dispute.

The debate also exposed disagreement over a separate issue. SGP leader Chris Stoffer accused Paternotte of overstating his party’s demands on abortion law. Stoffer said a joint letter from the SGP, BBB and JA21 had asked only for a pause. Paternotte replied that they had had a good conversation but had not resolved that point.