The Climate Fund Debate: Divisions Between Left-wing Parties and Coalition Parties

05 July 2023 at 01:43

It is still uncertain whether the climate fund can count on sufficient support in parliament. GroenLinks and PvdA were not on the same page with minister Rob Jetten on Tuesday evening. He told the opposition parties that the many billions could also be invested in climate policy without the fund.

The government wants to invest 34 billion euros in a fund to make the economy more sustainable and to reduce CO2 emissions.

But before the cabinet can withdraw money from this ‘bank account’, as MPs call it, parliament must agree to set up the fund. The House of Representatives debated the law that makes this possible on Tuesday.

PvdA and GroenLinks played a major role in the debate. They can help the coalition get a majority in the Senate. The parties are very concerned about how the money is spent.

They want more billions going to households, rather than businesses. “The climate transition must be social or it will not be,” said Joris Thijssen (PvdA). In addition, Suzanne Kröger (GroenLinks) believes that more requirements should be imposed on large companies that want to claim subsidies to become more sustainable.

They also think it is important that the law for the climate fund includes that the money must be spent fairly.

Attitude of left-wing parties arouses irritation among coalition parties

The demands of the left parties raised eyebrows among the coalition parties. VVD MP Silvio Erkens and Pieter Grinwis (ChristenUnie) pointed out to Thijssen and Kröger that they were initially extremely positive about the fund. According to CDA member Bontenbal, it looked like a “political game”.

It led to outrage among Thijssen and Kröger. “We have a number of serious proposals. If this minister is serious about using climate money in the best possible way, I expect him to work to make this fund as good as possible,” Kröger responded.

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Jetten warns left-wing parties

It prompted Jetten to “get straight to the point” when he started his contribution. If there is no majority in parliament for the fund, the billions can still be spent on climate policy.

The minister also issued a warning to PvdA and GroenLinks. If the money simply flows through the various budgets of the ministries involved, the House is less able to control the expenditure, he says. Also, windfalls cannot be reserved again for climate policy.

Jetten tried to come to an agreement with the left-wing parties, but the minister thinks that this law is not the right place to include the demands. According to the minister, the division of the billions can always be looked at at a later date.

The House will vote on the bill on Thursday. Then it will become clear whether PvdA and GroenLinks support the fund, which increases the chance that the Senate will also agree.

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2023-07-04 23:43:00
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