The cabinet will not consider next year’s budget before Monday evening at the earliest. Coalition parties failed to reach an agreement during talks on Monday morning.
According to insiders, negotiations remain at a complete standstill. As a result, the budget council meeting, which had been scheduled to begin in the early afternoon, has been postponed until 6:00 pm.
Sources within the coalition described the situation as “very tense”. While there is still hope of reaching an agreement, major differences remain over billions of euros in cuts to social security and the capital gains tax system, known as Box 3.
At the heart of the dispute is the direction the cabinet should take. Coalition parties remain divided over whether to seek support from parties on the left or the right.
The latest delay is also linked to other commitments by Defence Minister and VVD Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz. She is due to meet colleagues of fallen soldiers on Monday afternoon and does not want to cancel the appointment.
A spokesperson said it is “important” for Yeşilgöz to be present in her role as First Deputy Prime Minister when the cabinet formally decides on next year’s revenues and spending plans.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
