Tax plan passes Tweede Kamer by the narrowest margin as VVD votes against
The 2027 tax plan now goes to the Eerste Kamer, while the coalition faces a crisis over a wealth-tax amendment and a looming deadline for the Belastingdienst.
The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of parliament, passed the 2027 tax plan on Thursday evening with the narrowest possible majority, with 76 votes in favour. Coalition party VVD voted against it.
“PRO's plans are a hard blow to our economy and the wallet of hardworking Netherlands. What is presented as a 'millionaire tax' actually hits people who work hard, save and run businesses. Less investment, less growth and less prosperity. These are the consequences. 👇”
The VVD objected to an amendment from PRO and Volt that shifts the tax burden onto wealth. The amendment was adopted earlier that evening and added to the plan. During the debate, VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans had announced that his party would vote against the plan if the amendment passed.
The cabinet had advised the Kamer against the amendment. The cabinet also objects to the fact that the parties want to lower the burden on workers next year, while the extra revenue from wealth would only come in later.
Premier Rob Jetten said the coalition must make 'a very serious restart', whatever the outcome of the votes. He meets vice-premiers Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) and Bart van den Brink (CDA) on Friday morning. Brekelmans called the events 'ontluisterend' (dismaying) and said he first wants to discuss within his party how to proceed.
The plan still needs a majority in the Eerste Kamer, the senate, which can only adopt or reject it. The parties that backed it in the Tweede Kamer are short of a majority there. The Belastingdienst, the tax authority, has a deadline of 20 November to process the changes for next year.
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