The Dutch Parliament blocks support for Von der Leyen’s ReArm Europe Plan

Severe blow to the rearmament plans of the European Commission, the famous "ReArm Europe". On Tuesday, a slim majority of the House of Representatives asked the Dutch government not to participate in the program .

By 73 votes to 71, parliament urged Prime Minister Schoof to oppose ambitious plans to invest 800 billion euros in European defense. This is an embarrassment for the head of government, who last week promised his support for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's project and which is now being blocked by Parliament.

The motion blocking participation in the program received the support of three of the four government parties: Geert Wilders' PVV, the farmers' party BBB and the centre-right NSC party. Only the VVD liberals voted in favor.

Prime Minister Schoof could decide to ignore the appeal, but that would mean going against three parties in his government. Last week, a dispute erupted within the coalition after Schoof announced he would allocate another 3.5 billion euros to support Ukraine. PVV leader Wilders and his BBB colleague Caroline van der Plas reacted with surprise and accused the Liberals of organizing support behind their backs, in a “one-two punch” with Schoof.

43 Netherlands Mechanized Brigade. Photo: Uitgifte NFP pak

The vote in the House of Representatives has once again highlighted divisions within the government and risks further weakening Schoof's already limited authority. The non-party prime minister fails to convince his coalition partners.

NSC spokesperson Pieter Omtzigt made the final decision on Tuesday. He said his party supports Ukraine and is not against further defense spending, but is against joint debt financing and easing of the budget rule. The VVD also opposes the way Europe wants to finance spending, but according to party leader Dilan Yesilgöz the security situation is too serious to hinder it now.

The motion calls on Schoof to end Dutch participation in ReArm Europe or “negotiate an exclusion clause”. The Dutch are more afraid of debt than of Russians, or they are more afraid of Von der Leyen than of everyone.

So, at this point, there is unanimity in the council in support of Rearm Europe.