Minority cabinet still seeking 'broad support' as coalition talks drag into final week

The Dutch minority cabinet has one week left to secure parliamentary backing for its 2027 budget, with Prime Minister Rob Jetten still insisting that "broad support" across the political spectrum is within reach — despite growing impatience from opposition parties and no clear coalition strategy in sight.

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen told reporters Friday morning that he believes a deal is "step by step" coming together, even as key opposition parties continue to demand the cabinet choose between left-wing or right-wing support. "I have confidence this will work out. We're now really in the final phase," Heinen said, adding that he hopes to send the budget documents to the Council of State for review by next Friday.

No consensus on coalition approach

The cabinet held fresh talks this week with ChristenUnie, 50Plus, JA21, and the SGP — but the parties remain divided on how the minority government should operate.

ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker and 50Plus leader Struijs both rejected the idea that the cabinet must pick a side. "I'm done with this discussion about left or right," Bikker said after meeting Jetten on Wednesday. "Come on, let's get to work. I'm someone who's willing to extend a hand."

Struijs went further, saying his party prefers the cabinet continue as a true minority government, seeking support issue by issue. "A good plan is a good plan — we'll support it," he said.

But Pro and JA21 have both insisted the cabinet must commit to either a left-leaning or right-leaning coalition. Pro's financial spokesperson Luc Stultiens said after Thursday's meeting with Heinen that he saw "little movement, and that will be necessary if you want our support."

JA21 and the SGP, which have been coordinating on budget matters, met with the cabinet again Friday morning. SGP leader Stoffer repeated his warning that he will withdraw support if the cabinet crosses his party's red lines on medical-ethical issues, such as advancing legislation on surrogacy.

What this means for residents

For internationals living in the Netherlands, the uncertainty matters because budget decisions affect residence permit processing capacity, housing subsidies (toeslagen), and infrastructure investment — all areas where this cabinet has promised reform but needs parliamentary votes to deliver.

The minority cabinet's struggle to lock down support also raises questions about whether it can pass other legislation that affects daily life, from healthcare access to public transport funding. If no stable coalition emerges, each policy proposal could face unpredictable votes, leading to delays or watered-down compromises.

Infrastructure crisis looms

Meanwhile, a coalition of employers, provinces, and mobility organizations this week called on the cabinet to commit 2% of GDP annually to infrastructure investment — the same benchmark recently adopted for defence spending. The Mobility Alliance warned that the Netherlands faces a maintenance backlog exceeding €34 billion through 2038, plus another €20 billion needed for railways and €30 billion for stalled development projects.

"Infrastructure enables housing construction, strengthens our economy and our business climate, and contributes to our resilience, security, and broad prosperity," alliance chair Marga de Jager wrote in a letter to Jetten and Heinen.

How the cabinet plans to fund this — or whether it will prioritize infrastructure at all — remains unclear as budget talks continue behind closed doors.

Farmer protests continue, asylum centre stays open

Elsewhere, tensions over nitrogen policy flared again this week as hundreds of tractors rolled through Drenthe in protest against the cabinet's environmental rules. The demonstrators demanded that local mayors sign a letter condemning the government's approach, but all twelve Drenthe mayors refused.

The protest came days after prosecutors announced they will criminally charge tractor drivers who take their vehicles onto highways, following a fatal accident on the A59 last week that killed two people.

In Friesland, the municipality of De Fryske Marren said it will take legal action after the justice ministry announced that the asylum centre in Balk — scheduled to close October 1 — will remain open for three more years. The COA refugee agency said closing the centre would leave 300 people, including families and children, without shelter.

International pressure on Israel

On the international stage, the Netherlands joined six other governments in condemning Israel's decision to open bidding on a major settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. The E1 project, which would build 3,400 homes in Palestinian territory, "will undermine the prospect of a two-state solution," the countries said in a joint statement.

The condemnation comes as the Netherlands prepares to enforce its own ban on goods from illegal settlements, which takes effect September 22.

With just days left before the budget must be finalized, the cabinet's ability to govern — and deliver on its promises to residents — hangs in the balance.