Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Dutch City Councils Pass 2026 Budgets After Last‑Minute Turmoil in The Hague

An overnight delay in The Hague ended with a revised plan that secured a majority and eased a looming defeat.

Overview

  • The Hague council approved its budget after a one‑day postponement, with only Hart voor Den Haag, PVV and Forum voor Democratie voting against.
  • The contentious ChristenUnie/SGP push to use €2.5 million from the co‑financing fund for homelessness was reworked into a one‑off measure that won support.
  • A 22‑22 tie on procedure prompted Mayor Jan van Zanen to move votes to the next meeting, reflecting the minority coalition’s reliance on opposition backing and frictions over the Daal en Bergselaan plan.
  • Utrecht adopted a €2.177 billion 2026 budget after nearly eleven hours of debate, leaving about €186 million in discretionary spending and approving road‑safety upgrades and funding for a transgender clinic.
  • Lelystad passed targeted motions including a €2.5 million town hall renovation step, mapping and fixes for unsafe cycle paths, and a one‑year Sunday opening pilot for the waste station funded at €160,000.