The VAT increase on culture (and sports and media) does not seem to be going through. Intensive lobbying has paid off in a short time, a boost for the sectors involved. The lobbies led to a motion from the opposition in the House of Representatives to oppose the VAT increase. Kudos to all the organizations and individuals who made a huge effort to achieve this.
'Politicians' devised a construction by which the entire 2025 Tax Plan (including the VAT increase) can be approved and then that approved VAT increase cannot pass. In short: the VAT increase can only not go through if it does go through first. This is to avoid delaying the implementation of the Tax Plan. This is considered undesirable by politicians because, among other things, the Tax Administration would then have too little time to get everything done in time. We all know what that can lead to.
In summary, the VAT increase can only fail to pass if it does pass first
If I have understood everything correctly, there is a side note: an alternative must be found for the 1.2 billion that the VAT increase on culture, sports and media would bring to the treasury. Where can it be obtained from? In the relevant sectors themselves, I suspect: use the cheese slicer to take some away from culture, a little from sports and a little from the media.
Since the news - about the VAT off the table - came out, I've been thinking about what this construction reminds me of anyway and looking for a comparison. Quite unsuccessfully. I get no further than tedious comparisons such as those with the Cold War (1947-1991), a time of strategic hesitation and psychological tension when little happened but political deals were made and threats did exist. I know, a completely skewed comparison that is completely flawed and one that I should not make at all.
A better comparison - but it too is flawed - is the attitude of politicians toward gas extraction in Groningen or the benefits affair
A better comparison - but this too is flawed - is the attitude of politics with regard to gas extraction in Groningen or the allowance affair: the tension is palpable, parties maneuver strategically, but the actual "breakthrough" (or escalation) fails to materialize. This in turn leads to frustration in society and loss of trust in politics, which in turn can lead to polarization and strengthening of extremism and greater political instability. But now I am really being much too harsh. The VAT situation has absolutely nothing to do with it and neither does the 1.2 billion that will soon be found.
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