Budget negotiations between the government and political party PRO made no progress on Monday, according to PRO leader Jesse Klaver. After discussions with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Deputy Prime Ministers Dilan Yeşilgöz and Bart van den Brink, and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen, Klaver said the talks are stuck.
He noted that the differences between the cabinet and PRO remain large and that no steps have been taken to close the gap. This leaves the cabinet with only a few days to secure a majority. Klaver also said the cabinet lacks urgency.
Klaver described the government’s current budget approach as extremely risky, noting that they are betting on multiple options at once. Ministers Jetten and Heinen previously stated that they wanted broad support for their budget by looking to both the left and right political sides. Klaver had hoped the cabinet would choose a clear direction during Monday’s meeting.
He highlighted the possibility that the cabinet might present a budget on (Prinsjesdag) without an existing majority, planning to seek support later during parliamentary debates in the House of Representatives. Klaver indicated he is fully prepared to challenge the cabinet on this approach.
For PRO, any agreement to support next year’s budget depends entirely on removing the planned social security cuts.
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