The leaders of the D66 Liberal democrats and minor Christian parties ChristenUnie and SGP join ministers on Monday morning to put the final touches to the government’s 2015 spending plans.

The budget will be presented on Tuesday, September 16 – just four weeks away. Ministers need opposition support to ensure their plans pass in the upper house of parliament where there is no majority government support.

The three opposition parties, which have already helped the government with reforms to pensions, education and the care industry, delivered their wish lists to ministers earlier this year.

Tax cuts

Among their demands are lower taxes and more money for the defence and justice ministries.

Finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Friday there is some financial room for tax cuts but that these are limited.

‘The expectations are realistic and that is good,’ Dijsselbloem said, before warning that keeping the budget deficit under control remains the government’s priority.

However, the temporary measure allowing people to donate up to €100,000 tax free to their family or friends to buy a home or carry out renovations will not continue next year, Dijsselbloem said at the weekend.

Some 50,000 people took advantage of the tax break in the first six months of this year, well above the estimated 20,000. Estate agents had been keen to see the measure, which was designed to boost house sales, continue in 2015.