NL could levy tolls on foreign drivers

A new proposal from SGP party leader Kees van der Staaij could see the Netherlands placing a toll on cars driven into the Netherlands from other countries. The proposal is similar to one approved by the government last year that was expected to raise €260 million. “If it is in Germany, then why can we not also do it?” Van der Staaij told broadcaster RTL. He went on to say that he was told it was impossible to impose such a toll in the past because of European rules. “But in the meantime, then I see those things happen in Germany.”

Van der Staaij would like to see the extra money raised go to security and defense spending, while providing tax cuts to low income earners and an increase in healthcare budgets. The SGP will join D66 and ChristenUnie in budget discussions with Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Monday. The European Commission said in January that the German toll plan violates European Union rules on non-discrimination and equal treatment of all people. Owners of cars registered in the Netherlands are usually required to pay an annual road tax on their vehicles.