Budget negotiation almost finished: D66 leader

The budget negotiation between the government and opposition is in its final stages, Alexander Pechtold, leader of the D66 said on Monday. According to Pechtold a few things still need to be worked out, but it is possible that a final agreement over next year's budget will be reached on Wednesday, NU.nl reports. VVD leader Halbe Zijlstra agreed that finalization on Wednesday is a realistic estimate. Zijlstra went on to say that 2015 will be a difficult year, but with a solid budget, it can be a good year too. Not everyone will see improvement, but the picture as a whole is much more positive. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs Lodewijk Asscher stated that 2015 will have a budget the five parties can stand behind. 2015 will be a reasonable year with a reasonable budget. No details were given, but it is clear that the previously planned tax increases for citizens next year have been softened by 1 billion euros. As previously reported Defense spending will receive an extra 50 million euros next year. Development aid will also receive several hundred million euros extra next year.