Dutch 2023 Budget Gets Cabinet OK But Faces Scrutiny In The Upper House
The Dutch cabinet has given its approval to the 2023 budget, which includes billions of euros to combat the energy crisis, invest in climate measures and reduce the deficit.
The budget now heads to the Dutch Senate, or upper house of parliament, where it faces potential changes before being put to a final vote by the full parliament.
The budget includes a 17 billion euro package to help households and businesses cope with the rising cost of energy, which has been driven by the war in Ukraine and other factors.
The package includes measures like subsidies for energy bills and tax cuts for businesses and low-income households.
The budget also sets aside billions of euros for climate measures, including investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The government has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
The budget also includes measures to reduce the deficit, which is expected to reach 3.2 per cent of GDP in 2022. The government plans to cut spending and increase taxes to reduce the deficit to 1.5 per cent of GDP in 2023.
The budget has been welcomed by some, including the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the largest party in the Dutch parliament. The VVD said the budget was a "wise compromise" that would help households and businesses without putting too much strain on public finances.
However, the budget has also faced criticism from some, including the Labour Party (PvdA), the second-largest party in the Dutch parliament. The PvdA said the budget did not do enough to help low-income households and that the climate measures were inadequate.
The budget now heads to the Dutch Senate, where it could face changes before being put to a final vote by the full parliament. It is unclear when the Senate will vote on the budget, but it is expected to be before the end of the year.
Conclusion
The Dutch 2023 budget is a complex and controversial document that will have a significant impact on the lives of all Dutch citizens. The budget includes measures to help households and businesses cope with the rising cost of energy, invest in climate measures, and reduce the deficit.
The budget has been welcomed by some but criticized by others. The budget now heads to the Dutch Senate, where it could face changes before being put to a final vote by the full parliament.
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