Markuszower says he is prepared to back Dutch tax plan to avert election

Gidi Markuszower says he is prepared to support the Dutch government’s tax plan to avert an election, but will decide how to vote only after seeing its final version. His seven-member group’s backing could help the cabinet win a majority in the House of Representatives.

Speaking in a debate on the tax package, Markuszower said he feared that, after an election, he and other right-wing parties would again be left on the sidelines. “In the worst case, Jesse Klaver becomes prime minister,” he said.

The cabinet has offered concessions to Markuszower’s breakaway group, including extra funding for the police. He said his final vote would depend on the completed plan. The latest statement marks a shift from his earlier position that he saw little reason to vote against it, though he had not then committed his group to supporting it.

Markuszower also called for sharply lower taxes on energy and vehicle fuel, and said the tax on assets in box 3 should be abolished. The article reports that such proposals would cost the state billions of euros.

PRO leader Jesse Klaver addressed coalition parties D66, VVD and CDA in the debate, wishing them “every success” in working with the breakaway PVV MPs.