Coalition parties reach a deal on spring financial statement

 

Coalition parties reach a deal on spring financial statement

April 16, 2025

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/04/coalition-parties-reach-a-deal-on-spring-financial-statement/

 

The four coalition parties have reached agreement on the traditional spring financial statement after days of talks, culminating in a marathon 25-hour session.

 

Details of the agreement are beginning to emerge, with PVV leader Geert Wilders saying social housing rents will be frozen this year and next. According to VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz, spending on defence will rise by €1.1 billion and energy bills will be reduced.

 

The NSC said a solution had been found for the earlier decision not to increase value added tax on books and the cultural sector. However, spokeswoman Nicolien van Vroonhoven said nothing had been agreed about more money for deadling with nitrogen and the shortage of accommodation for refugees or the prison service.

 

The annual spring statement is supposed to include adjustments to last September’s budget, but is also an opportunity for the coalition to agree additional spending plans.

 

However, this year’s talks had become bogged down in determining how much financial leeway there is for new policy. Under cabinet rules, all windfalls for the treasury are supposed to go towards reducing the national debt, and the VVD in particular wanted to stick to that pledge.

 

Finance minister Eelco Heinen told reporters that the budget rules had not been broken. And while the parties have been quick to talk about their wins, the plans also include cost cuts, he said.

 

More details wil be made public once the package has been approved in the cabinet on Thursday, he said.