VVD weighs staying in cabinet after millionaire tax passes

The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of parliament, voted on Thursday evening for the Belastingplan 2027 tax package, including a millionaire tax, after a third round, in which motions could be submitted. The VVD, a coalition party, was angry and said it would reflect on its position.

On Friday at 11.30 Jetten began talks with deputy prime ministers Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) and Bart van den Brink (CDA). The Council of Ministers was due to start at 12.30. The Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst, the government press office, said Yesilgöz would make no statement before the council had finished.

MK

Mona Keijzer

independent MP · @MonaKeijzer

“Did Prime Minister Jetten know that the VVD was being sidelined? The more he dances around this simple question, the clearer it becomes. No leadership. No answers. No taking responsibility. Unfit ☑️ #kabinetscrisis”

Finance minister Eelco Heinen (VVD) must now carry out a tax plan that his own party voted against.

Before the talks, Van den Brink said that if the will is there, a way out must be possible.

Interior minister Pieter Heerma (CDA) said on arrival: "There are big challenges we need to get on with. That's what I want to focus on above all. We're going to have a good talk." Deputy defence minister Derk Boswijk (CDA) called it a "a terrible situation" and said a cabinet crisis is something "we cannot afford". Boswijk added: "Nobody needs this hassle, and nobody understands it either."

VVD minister Sophie Hermans said little: "Dilan is inside at the moment. We had a very tough political day yesterday." Whether the VVD ministers stay in the cabinet is the open question.