After a morning debate in the Lower House, Cabinet Schoof's tactics are clear. At least, when it comes to the controversial plan to selectively increase VAT on culture. To all questions from the House about why, Finance Minister Eelco Heinen replied that it should not be about details, but about a "total package". Therefore, he also does not want to comment on the choices made by the cabinet, by making books but not the Efteling more expensive, for example.
Any answer to that question the minister sidesteps by stating that there are so many other measures that are all related. He does not want to talk about the fact that the effects of the VAT increase on culture and sports have not been calculated, because sometimes that has not been done for other measures either. Be it with measures that would affect ornamental horticulture. And excise duty increases on tobacco.
He comforts the opposition that while I am sure something will be done on reading promotion by his colleague at OCW, it is now about tax and there is 3 billion to be earned. 'It is about a total package, where sour and sweet have to be seen in context.'
Orphan
There is no better way to sideline the Chamber than this. That Heinen chose this may be logical, but this method of evading questions increases the powerlessness in the public gallery. The minister acknowledges that he himself would have made other choices. Vijlbrief of D66 observes that the VAT increase is an orphan: 'If this continues, we are not going to agree to the tax plan. Things have crept in that are not easy to explain, and the minister acknowledges that too.'
Minister Heinen assumes the coalition will support the plans. He does not expect that alternative coverage will be found, which would overcome the arbitrariness of the VAT increase.
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