Jetten reverses D66 stance on royal family paying tax

Prime Minister Rob Jetten does not intend to make members of the royal family pay tax. During the budget debate in the Tweede Kamer, he also said he would set aside a motion by Pro MP Laura Bromet similar to a D66 plan from 2024, and an adopted motion by SP MP Sandra Beckerman for more openness about royal spending. He called the transparency plan "in practice unworkable".

In 2024, a motion by D66 MP Joost Sneller for the king to pay tax on his income won a large majority. It was the first time the plan had won a two-thirds majority in parliament, which it needs because it requires a constitutional amendment. Then prime minister Mark Rutte and his successor Dick Schoof set it aside.

Jetten calls the annual debate an "unfruitful dynamic" in which the familiar positions come up every time. He wants a broader study into a "future-proof royal house" and has agreed with Bromet to draw up concrete proposals.

Beckerman said: "D66 was angry every year that the motions were not carried out. Now the party has a unique chance to think about the future of the royal house." She added: "You would think you'd seize that chance."

Other parties praised the monarchy. JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans said the royal house is "not cheap, but at the same time invaluable to our country". CDA MP Tijs van den Brink said there is every reason to be happy with it, and Jetten promised him that the proposals will not lead to a ceremonial monarchy.

VVD, CDA, BBB, ChristenUnie and SGP want the king to appoint the first scout (verkenner) after elections again. Since 2017 he has stayed out of that step in government formation. VVD MP Renate den Hollander said continuity lies in the king as head of state, above the parties. A vote on the change will be held later.