Parliament backs tax on millionaires in 2027 tax plan

The Tweede Kamer approved by the narrowest possible majority how the tax burden will be shared next year, after a debate on 12 November. The coalition was split in the vote, and the VVD voted against the cabinet's own tax plan.

The split followed a proposal by PRO and Volt to introduce a tax on millionaires, a higher tax for people with large assets. Coalition partners D66 and CDA gave it its majority.

CP

Caroline van der Plas

BBB MP · @lientje1967

“The laws that were steered through the Kamer were made by the people in the Schoof cabinet, Mr Jetten. #JustSaying #persconferentie #Jetten #Kabinetscrisis”

During the debate the cabinet sent the Kamer a letter advising against the amendments, because the funding is shaky and because they make the tax system more complex. VVD parliamentary leader Brekelmans said beforehand that his party would vote against the plan if the amendment was adopted. He called the proposal bad for the business climate and at odds with the coalition agreement of the minority cabinet.

After a day of crisis talks on Friday, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz said: "We can't go on like this. As far as the VVD is concerned, a minority cabinet is a failed experiment." She wants the harm to entrepreneurs cushioned and a change of course. She also floated the idea of bringing another party into the minority cabinet. "The next few days are very important. The outcome isn't settled yet," she said.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten said afterwards that a government collapse or a bigger political crisis would not be good, given the challenges the Netherlands faces. He said the talks need more time so that "all feelings and emotions" can be heard. They will continue in the coming days with the three coalition parties.

Before the vote, Jetten had said he wants a "a proper new start" for his cabinet and wants to keep the VVD on board.

JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans said the crisis shows D66, VVD and CDA form "a coalition with nothing holding it together". He blamed Jetten for a lack of direction: "He simply did not handle this well."

The coalition leaders will retreat to the De Zwaluwenberg estate in Hilversum on Saturday to try again to agree on how the cabinet can keep governing. Friday's crisis talks lasted more than seven hours and produced no result.

Separately, MP Gidi Markuszower told the Tweede Kamer on 12 November that Geert Wilders had requested a debate the day before on the situation in the cabinet. Markuszower proposed holding it after the evening vote, saying there would be a new situation by then.

The chair, Van Campen, said the Kamer had asked for a debate with the prime minister and wanted to finish the third round on the tax plan first. Markuszower also proposed inviting Yesilgöz to the debate, since she is a deputy prime minister and had made a statement the evening before. The chair said it could be decided later in the day whether to carry on talking.