Markuszower fails to get no-confidence debate as tax plan vote nears

Gidi Markuszower, a former PVV MP whose support the cabinet was counting on for its tax plan, asked the Tweede Kamer for an extra debate to file a motion of no confidence in the cabinet. A large majority of MPs mocked the request, and it did not get the support of at least 30 MPs that such a debate needs.

Markuszower had earlier made a deal with the cabinet to support the tax plan (Belastingplan). To meet him, the cabinet wants to invest €95 million in security. His request for a debate to send the cabinet away was met with surprise and scorn in the chamber.

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen (VVD) is defending his revised box 3 plan. He says the revision prevented much larger deficits, because the original bill, which would tax the returns people actually make on savings and investments, lacked a majority in the Eerste Kamer, the Senate, and would have been voted down.

MPs can still file new proposals in the tax plan debate, and they vote on them on Thursday. The Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) must know the 2027 tax rates by 20 November. The cabinet still has no deal on the tax plan with parties on the left or the right.