The opposition free-market Liberal (VVD) party on Wednesday called for a 0.5% reduction in income tax across the board. The call was made by party leader Mark Rutte during the first parliamentary debate on the government’s 2008 budget which was presented yesterday.

Rutte’s ‘alternative’ budget allocates €500,000 for solving road congestion, €50m in security and €100m in extra defence spending. The party also wants to reduce national debt by an additional €500m.
The Liberals said they would finance their plans by cuts in the aid budget and social security benefits (except pensions).