The Dutch government is facing increased pressure as a new alliance of three right-wing parties has presented a series of demands that could significantly impact the country’s tax plan and budget negotiations. This alliance, consisting of the far-right JA21, the orthodox Protestant SGP, and the farmer-focused BBB, aims to influence policies related to asylum, nitrogen regulations, and abortion in exchange for their support of the government’s broader tax plan.
The trio has outlined specific conditions, including the cancellation of proposed tax increases intended to bolster NATO defense spending, scrapping a planned VAT increase on flowers, and raising profit exemptions for small businesses. Each party brings its own focus: the BBB is pushing for changes to nitrogen policy, JA21 seeks stricter asylum measures, and the SGP wants to impose more restrictions on late-term abortions, home abortions, and surrogacy.
These demands present a challenge for Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who is working to secure broader parliamentary support. The opposition has urged the coalition to decide whether to align with left-wing parties like PRO and Volt or lean towards the right-wing factions. Within the coalition, divisions are evident as D66 and CDA prefer alliances with left-wing parties, while the VVD is more inclined to engage with the right.
Some of the alliance’s demands clash with current government policies, making negotiations complex. For instance, the CDA asylum minister, Bart van den Brink, has expressed difficulty in agreeing to end the asylum seeker distribution law. Similarly, the SGP’s stances on abortion and surrogacy are at odds with D66’s policies. The elimination of defense-related tax measures also presents a sensitive issue for the CDA.
Nitrogen policy remains another contentious area. Existing government measures are deemed critical for restoring permit approvals, and any substantial changes could prompt PRO to withdraw its support. The cabinet now faces the challenge of accommodating the alliance’s demands without compromising its established policies or losing crucial parliamentary backing.