Budget talks were tumultuous; Screaming matches at Finance Ministry, insiders say

The Cabinet and coalition parties have agreed on a national budget for next year, Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced during the early hours of Friday morning. But clearing that first hurdle was far from easy for the Schoof I Cabinet, over 15 insiders from all four coalition parties told the Telegraaf. They reported screaming matches at the Ministry of Finance. “It was a mess again. [NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt] was in a state,” sources within the NSC told the newspaper.

For weeks, the Cabinet has been discussing the promises and cutbacks in the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB’s coalition agreement and working that into a budget for next year. Several sources told the Telegraaf that the Cabinet had the budget already figured out on Wednesday, only still tinkering with the purchasing power figures. On Thursday evening, the government again met with the four coalition party leaders. They expected a quick meeting, starting at 6:00 p.m., but only concluded around 4:00 a.m. on Friday morning.

According to the newspaper’s insiders, Omtzigt was the reason for the long meeting. Similar to the formation talks, the NSC leader walked away from discussions in a state of upset, only to return later. Irritation also arose when Omtzigt kept involving his party members Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and State Secretary Folkert Idsinga of Taxation, in the discussions. He also appeared to have several Cabinet documents that the other party leaders had not received. “Not really extra-parliamentary, far from it,” one insider said, pointing out that it was Omtzigt who insisted on this type of Cabinet.

Other factors also contributed to the slow budget discussions. According to the Telegraaf, the PVV, NSC, and BBB distrust the VVD, which they describe as a “well-oiled power machine.” The VVD is very familiar with ruling, while the PVV has been on the political sidelines due to its far-right stances for years, and the NSC and BBB are brand-new parties.

The VVD, for its part, is concerned about the other three parties' inexperience. The liberals feel that their coalition partners’ growing pains are affecting quality governance.

The VVD is also divided about participation in this Cabinet at all. “A part of her party really does not want this coalition, and [VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz] does not want to be in parliament, but in the Cabinet,” a source said about the apparent listlessness Yeşilgöz has radiated since the formation.

Despite this turmoil, Schoof’s team is still determined to make this government work. The fact that they reached a budget agreement is considered a positive success. “The Cabinet exudes unity,” a source said. “It’s like a sausage, you don’t want to know how it’s made.”