The Netherlands, explained in English · Friday 6 November 2026Fri 6 Nov

Politics

Coalition phones opposition to save Jetten's minority cabinet

The three coalition parties are phoning opposition parties one by one to win backing for the Belastingplan, the tax plan, and so save the minority cabinet.

Empty plenary hall of the Tweede Kamer
iIllustrative photo: Husky / CC BY 4.0

The parliamentary leaders of the three coalition parties in the House of Representatives are calling opposition parties to win support for the Belastingplan and so save Prime Minister Rob Jetten's minority cabinet. They are Jan Paternotte (D66), Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) and Henri Bontenbal (CDA). All three are also working the corridors of parliament in search of backing.

The opposition wants different things on the left and on the right. On the left, Pro and Volt demand a “millionaires' tax” and want to add it to the tax plans as an amendment. It would cut the tax on work by €1.5bn and raise the tax on wealth by the same amount.

On the right, JA21, the SGP and the farmers' party BBB have demands that have nothing to do with money. They cover nitrogen, asylum and medical ethics.

Jetten told a press conference on Friday: “It is tense, it really matters. But I can see that many parties want to move forward. Substantive proposals are on the way, and we need to build on those.”