The cabinet will invest more in purchasing power and security as it seeks support from both left-wing and right-wing parties for its tax plan. Prime Minister Rob Jetten announced the changes after an extraordinary cabinet meeting, where the revised plans were formally approved.
According to Jetten, the tax plan now contains “very attractive elements for both the left and the right”.
The cabinet was unable to reach an advance agreement that would guarantee enough support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It hopes the revised package will persuade opposition parties to back the plan.
The level of support should become clearer during a debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Jetten said the cabinet had held intensive talks “primarily” with ChristenUnie and 50PLUS.
However, the minority cabinet still does not have enough support in the House. It may therefore need additional backing from the Markuszower Group, a splinter group from the PVV. Cooperation with the group is proving difficult within the D66 parliamentary group.
Left and right elements
Jetten highlighted several measures aimed at different sides of the political spectrum. The “left-wing” elements include measures to restore purchasing power and improve arrangements for people with chronic illnesses. The “right-wing” measures include cuts to excise duties.
He called on opposition parties to take responsibility alongside the cabinet.
“And we are now also showing, just as we showed on Budget Day, that we are not blind or deaf to plans and proposals coming from the opposition. In fact, hundreds of millions are being contributed to this once again,” Jetten said.
The exact contents of the revised tax plan are not yet known. The cabinet will publish the details later on Tuesday.
This is the third time the tax plan has been amended, and further changes may follow. Parliament will debate the plan over the next week and a half. Jetten said the cabinet would “truly listen with an open mind” to proposals from opposition parties on how to improve it.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
