Jan 23, 2024 at 3:53 PM Update: 26 minutes ago
The House of Representatives wants the king to pay taxes, but there are still many hurdles to overcome. It takes years to amend the Constitution and eventually a two-thirds majority is needed in both Houses.
It is not the first time that tax for the king has been on the agenda of the House of Representatives. In October 2022, a DENK motion was already supported by a majority. But the cabinet then decided not to follow the motion.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte pointed out the complexity. He also emphasized that a two-thirds majority in the House had not agreed to the call. A simple majority is not sufficient in the long run: a two-thirds majority in both Houses will also be necessary for an amendment to the Constitution at a later date.
That two-thirds majority has been in place since last November’s elections. In the House on Tuesday afternoon, more than a hundred MPs agreed to a motion by D66. This time there is a greater chance that a new cabinet will consider the issue. But if Rutte’s successor initiates a constitutional change, it will not be settled just yet.
Changing the Constitution will take years. The amendment must first be adopted by a simple majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. With a normal law it is done, but it is different when it comes to the Constitution. Both Houses must consider the plan again at a later date. This is only possible after the House of Representatives elections have been held.
BBB still has doubts about the plan and votes against the motion
At this so-called second reading, two-thirds must be in favor in both Houses. This is not the case in the Senate if the BBB were to vote the same there as in the House of Representatives. The BBB House of Representatives faction voted against the motion on Tuesday.
BBB MP Mona Keijzer fears that the plan will ultimately cost more money than it yields. BBB is in favor of “equal monks, equal hoods”, but emphasizes that the effect is extremely complex. Keijzer wants to look at this carefully before proceeding with this plan.
Koning is currently exempt from income tax
King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix now do not have to pay a cent of income tax on the benefits they receive from the government. This exemption is stated in Article 40 of the Constitution.
They do pay taxes on other income, such as private assets. They also pay VAT on groceries and dog tax just like everyone else.
If they also have to pay income tax in a few years, this will save Willem-Alexander approximately 0.5 million euros per year.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima together with Princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane during the traditional photo session of the royal family at Huis ten Bosch Palace. Photo: royal family
2024-01-23 14:53:18
#Chamber #king #pay #taxes #hurdles #overcome #Politics
