Minority cabinet keeps coalition options open as protests and policy crises mount

The Dutch minority cabinet is refusing to pick a lane. Two weeks before the 2027 budget must be finalised, Prime Minister Rob Jetten's government still has not decided whether to seek a structural majority on the left or right — or whether to govern case-by-case, cobbling together support as it goes.

That third option gained traction this week. After separate meetings at the Catshuis, both ChristenUnie and 50Plus told the cabinet it does not need to choose between left and right at all. "A good plan is a good plan," said 50Plus leader Struijs, who described his party as "of the middle" and open to supporting whatever works.

ChristenUnie leader Bikker echoed the sentiment: "Come on guys, let's get something done. I'm tired of the left-right debate — I just look at whether plans are sound."

SGP and JA21 still want clarity

Not everyone is so flexible. Earlier this week, both Pro and JA21 pressed the cabinet to make a clear choice: govern with the left (Pro) or the right (JA21 plus one other party, likely SGP).

SGP leader Stoffer, who also met with Jetten on Wednesday, repeated his red lines: he will walk if the cabinet advances legislation on surrogacy or other medical-ethical issues he opposes. But he noted that SGP and JA21 have "quite a bit in common" and have already done joint budget explorations — though that does not mean a fixed alliance.

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen confirmed the draft budget is ready, but changes can still be made depending on which parties sign on. The clock is ticking: Prinsjesdag is 16 September.

Tractor protests return — and prosecutors respond

While coalition talks drag on, the cabinet faces mounting pressure from the countryside. Hundreds of tractors rolled through Drenthe on Wednesday in a mass protest against nitrogen policy, causing 15-kilometre traffic jams and gridlock in town centres.

Farmers brought white crosses symbolising livestock they say they will be forced to cull. "The cabinet's policy offers us no future," said Erik Hofman, a farmer near a Natura 2000 protected area. "The countryside is already emptying out — farms standing empty, everything deteriorating."

All twelve Drenthe mayors refused to sign the farmers' protest letter to the cabinet, saying policy disagreements must be resolved through proper democratic channels, not symbolic gestures.

The protest came days after a fatal accident on the A59 near Heesch, where two people died in a pile-up caused by a tractor protest. In response, the Public Prosecution Service announced it will now prosecute anyone driving a tractor on a highway — even during a demonstration — unless the protest was formally registered with the mayor and not banned.

"Demonstrating is a fundamental right," the OM said, "but that does not exclude prosecution for other criminal offences committed during a demonstration." Agricultural vehicles are banned from motorways under Dutch traffic law.

Infrastructure deficit tops €34 billion

Another looming crisis: the country's crumbling infrastructure. A coalition of employers, logistics groups, provinces, municipalities and mobility organisations is demanding the cabinet invest 2% of GDP annually in roads, rail and waterways — the same commitment recently made for defence.

According to government and Court of Audit figures, the maintenance backlog through 2038 exceeds €34 billion. Another €20 billion is needed for rail, and €30 billion for paused development projects.

"Backlog maintenance leads to emergency measures, higher repair costs, delays, and risks to safety and accessibility," said Marga de Jager, chair of the Mobility Alliance. The group wants infrastructure funding legally guaranteed, arguing it underpins housing construction, economic growth and national security.

What this means for you

If you live here on a residence permit, the cabinet's inability to lock in a stable majority creates policy uncertainty — especially on housing, which depends on infrastructure investment and regional planning. The tractor protests also signal continued tension over land use, which affects not just farmers but also housing targets in rural areas.

The budget must pass both chambers by year-end. If the cabinet cannot secure support, expect delays on everything from the 30% ruling review to municipal integration budgets. Keep an eye on whether Jetten picks a coalition lane — or tries to govern bill-by-bill, which historically leads to watered-down compromises and slow implementation.