Paternotte denies VVD was ambushed by tax deal

D66 leader Jan Paternotte has rejected claims that his party and the Christian Democrats sprang their tax deal with opposition parties on coalition partner the VVD, as the dispute puts pressure on the Dutch minority government.

Paternotte said the VVD had not been informed only shortly before the agreement was reached. He described D66 and the VVD as having been “very transparent” with each other, according to Dutch news agency ANP.

His denial came after VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz said her party had been ambushed by the agreement between D66, the CDA, PRO and Volt. JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans said the VVD had been told only a few minutes beforehand. Paternotte responded that Eerdmans would be right to criticise the timing if that account were true, but said it was not.

The deal concerns the government’s 2027 tax package. The parties supporting it say it would raise taxes on wealthier people and cut taxes for people on lower incomes. The VVD opposes the agreement, saying it conflicts with the coalition deal.

The dispute has threatened the survival of the three-party minority government, which also includes D66 and the CDA. An earlier report on the coalition dispute said D66’s Paternotte maintained that the parties had remained in consultation despite disagreements over the tax measures.