Dutch PM holds crisis talks to prevent coalition collapse

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten will meet leaders of his two coalition partners on Friday in an effort to prevent his minority government from collapsing after a dispute over wealth taxes exposed deep divisions within the ruling alliance.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten will meet leaders of his two coalition partners on Friday in an effort to prevent his minority government from collapsing after a dispute over wealth taxes exposed deep divisions within the ruling alliance.

Jetten’s three-party coalition is facing its most serious crisis less than nine months after taking office, following a parliamentary vote on the government’s 2027 tax plan.

The dispute erupted after Jetten’s centrist D66 party and the Christian Democrats (CDA) backed an amendment negotiated with left-wing opposition parties to increase taxes on wealthier households. The right-wing, pro-business VVD strongly opposed the change.

The VVD ultimately voted against its own government’s tax plan, which nevertheless passed the lower house by a narrow majority with support from opposition parties.

VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans described the outcome as “disillusioning” and said his party would have to reconsider its position in the coalition, according to Reuters.

Jetten said after the vote that he would do everything possible to keep the coalition together. He called for a “new start” in talks with the VVD and CDA leaders on Friday.

A collapse of the government could trigger the Netherlands’ fourth general election in five years. Alternatively, political parties could attempt to form a new government based on the current balance of seats in parliament, avoiding an immediate election.