Dutch MPs reject Markuszower’s call for no-confidence debate

The Dutch House of Representatives has rejected Gidi Markuszower’s request for an extra debate in which he wanted to table a no-confidence motion against the government. He failed to secure the support of at least 30 MPs needed to hold the debate, Nieuws.nl reported, citing ANP.

The request drew surprise and mockery in the chamber, the report said. PRO MP Kati Piri said Markuszower was making himself look ridiculous; BBB leader Caroline van der Plas called the request “very strange”. The PVV agreed with her assessment.

The move came after Markuszower had struck a deal with the cabinet to support its tax plan. To accommodate him, the government plans to invest €95 million in security. Alongside the Christian Union and 50PLUS, his support could help the plan win a majority in the House.

His earlier position on the tax plan had already been a subject of debate: Markuszower said he was prepared to support it, while making his final decision conditional on seeing the completed package.