Serious concerns in Parliament about possible closure of 34 Dutch embassies, consulates

Many parliamentarians serving in the Tweede Kamer raised serious concerns about the new right-wing coalition's plans to make cuts which could affect the diplomatic network of the Netherlands. Coalition party VVD is also not completely pleased, as became clear on Monday during a debate about human rights policy in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Parliament.

PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB want to slash civil service budgets by 22 percent in core government departments. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this could in the most extreme scenario lead to the closure of 34 diplomatic posts, according to official documents about the main bullet points from the new coalition.

"The international position of the Netherlands will be seriously weakened" if so many posts have to disappear, said MP Kati Piri from GroenLinks-PvdA. D66 member Jan Paternotte pointed out the growing influence of China, and ridiculed the disappearance of so many embassies and consulates . CDA, ChristenUnie and Volt also shared the concerns.

In February, the Tweede Kamer adopted a motion by GroenLinks-PvdA and NSC stating "that a strong diplomatic clout through the network of posts is indispensable" and that "closing embassies would be unwise." The motion was supported by a large majority. Of the new coalition parties, only the PVV voted against.

The cuts also weigh heavily within the VVD. "We hope that the [international] posting network will be spared as much as possible," said Roelien Kamminga (VVD). She does not want to rule out cuts in various diplomatic postings "in advance" as she still believes certain aspects of the organization can be done more "efficiently." There can also be more cooperation.

The ministry will have to deal with even more cuts in other areas. The new Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aid must make structural cuts of 2.4 billion euros in development cooperation from 2027. Next year, it will slash 350 million euros from its budget, and the following year it will administer a cutback of 550 million euros.

Outgoing Minister Hanke Bruins Slot (Foreign Affairs) sees a "far-reaching task" for her ministry, which she will be in charge of for at least another two weeks. Then Caspar Veldkamp of the NSC will likely succeed her. He previously served as ambassador to Israel and Greece.