Dutch minority coalition reaches last-minute budget deal

THE HAGUE - The Netherlands’ minority coalition of D66, VVD and CDA has reached an agreement on next year’s budget after intensive negotiations that continued throughout the weekend and into Sunday night. The deal came just before the plans had to be submitted to the Council of State for review.

The cabinet met Monday evening to discuss the compromise. Prime Minister Rob Jetten of D66 and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen of the VVD are expected to address the press following the meeting.

The exact contents of the agreement remain unclear. Budget measures are normally formally unveiled on Prinsjesdag, September 15, although political sources say the compromise contains concessions for all three coalition parties.

The negotiations were particularly difficult over taxation of private wealth, known as Box 3, and planned measures affecting social security. D66 and CDA wanted to prevent the budget from leaning too far to the right, while the VVD was concerned that concessions to the left could damage cooperation with right-leaning opposition parties such as JA21 and SGP.

A major political challenge remains. As a minority government, D66, VVD and CDA do not command a majority in the House of Representatives. Earlier negotiations with opposition parties failed to produce sufficient support, meaning the government will still have to find parliamentary majorities for its plans.

CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said the aim was to make a meaningful gesture toward the opposition. He acknowledged that reaching the agreement took unusually long and was difficult, but said the coalition ultimately succeeded in finding a compromise.