PVV’s Changed Stance Impacts Dutch Government’s Political Manoeuvrability

The departure of the Party for Freedom (PVV) from the ruling coalition is significantly limiting the political flexibility of the remaining ministers in the Dutch government. Key policy areas like budget planning, unemployment benefits, healthcare, and defense spending are now subject to renewed debate and uncertainty.

The PVV has already demonstrated its altered position by voting against government proposals in parliament. This includes opposing cuts to unemployment benefits and healthcare, as well as resisting increases in defense spending to meet NATO’s 3.5 percent target.

Previously, in the 2024 coalition agreement, the PVV had agreed with the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), New Social Contract (NSC), and Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) to shorten unemployment benefits. The original plan was to reduce the maximum benefit duration from two years to one and a half years, starting in 2027. Now, the PVV has aligned with left-wing opposition parties to oppose this measure, potentially complicating matters for NSC Minister of Social Affairs Eddy van Hijum.

Similarly, the PVV’s changed stance is impacting healthcare policy. With Fleur Agema no longer at the Ministry of Health, the PVV supported a motion to reverse previously agreed cuts in various sectors, including elderly care, disability care, mental healthcare, youth care, and the Social Support Act.

The PVV’s withdrawal also relieves party leader Geert Wilders from the pressure of participating in negotiations about increasing the defense budget. While Wilders had reservations, he appeared willing to compromise to ensure the cabinet’s strong presence at the upcoming NATO summit.

The cabinet may now need to seek support from parties like GreenLeft-Labour Party (GroenLinks-PvdA) to secure agreements on critical issues. However, reaching a consensus with these parties could be difficult, particularly regarding defense spending, as GreenLeft-Labour Party favors financing increases through national debt and higher taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals.