Declining Support for Monarchy in Netherlands due to Tax Pressures
The Netherlands Moves to Make Royal Family Pay Taxes
In a significant move, the Netherlands is preparing to make the Royal family taxpayers. The first step in this direction has been taken, with deputies submitting a constitutional amendment proposal. A crucial voting to decide the fate of this proposal will be held on Tuesday.
The proposed amendment aims to make it mandatory for King Willem-Alexander and his family to pay income tax. Currently, the royal family’s expenses such as security, accommodation, and transportation are covered by the state, with taxpayers also bearing the burden of taxes for the royal palace’s personnel and equipment expenses.
For the initial motion to be accepted, a simple majority is required, which will be decided on Tuesday. However, for constitutional amendments to come into effect, the support of two-thirds of both houses of the parliament is required.
The proposal has received significant support in the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, the level of support in the Senate remains uncertain. The Farmers-Citizens Movement, the largest party in the Senate, is inclined to support the motion. Additionally, far-right Geert Wilders, who won the parliamentary elections in November, is in favor of the change. However, former Prime Minister Mark Rutte opposes the King’s taxation, citing the complexity of the constitutional amendment.
On the other hand, there are Members of Parliament who support taxing the royal family, hoping that the yet-to-be-formed coalition government in the Netherlands can bring about this constitutional change.
The move to make the royal family taxpayers comes at a time when their popularity is declining. According to a survey by the Dutch public broadcaster last year, the royal family’s popularity has dropped from 70 percent before the Covid outbreak to around 55 percent today. The same study also indicates that only 46 percent of those surveyed trust the King.
The outcome of the voting on Tuesday will determine whether the Netherlands will witness a significant shift in its royal family’s financial responsibilities.
