Klaver hopes Dutch government can survive coalition crisis

Dutch opposition leader Jesse Klaver says he hopes the government will survive a coalition crisis after the VVD questioned the future of the partnership over a proposed tax deal with left-wing parties PRO and Volt.

VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz said a “fundamental reset” of the coalition would be needed if partners D66 and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) back the two parties’ proposed tax on wealth above a high threshold. She did not explain what a reset would involve.

Klaver said the Netherlands deserved to have a government. He also questioned whether the VVD really wanted an election because wealthier people would pay somewhat more tax. “The Netherlands should be glad that we are asking a little more of rich people. I think that also fits very well with the VVD I once knew, namely one that stands up for working people,” he said.

PRO and Volt want working people to pay almost €1 billion less in tax. They propose paying for the cuts partly by increasing the highest rate of wealth tax and addressing a mechanism involving inheritance and gift tax, Nieuws.nl reported.

The dispute comes amid wider negotiations over the government’s tax plan. In October, Klaver invited Prime Minister Rob Jetten to talks, arguing the cabinet lacked a majority for its proposals; the earlier negotiations over the tax plan did not produce agreement with the opposition parties.