MPs from the ruling PvdA and VVD are set to vote against the government’s plans to restrict firework sales to just two days a year, website nu.nl says on Thursday.

Nu.nl says MPs think reducing New Year firework sales from three to two days will encourage more people to buy illegal fireworks. Christian Democrat MPs are also siding with the two ruling parties to vote against the plan.

MPs are due to debate firework policy with the justice and infrastructure ministries later on Thursday.

The cabinet also wants to shift the start time for allowing members of the public to set off fireworks from 10.00 hours to 18.00 ours.

Damage

The move is in response to growing calls for restrictions on the use of fireworks because of the injuries and damage to public property. The mayors of the country’s four big cities have called for tougher rules and Hilversum’s mayor plans to ban fireworks from the city centre.

A poll by EenVandaag last year showed two-thirds of the Dutch want a ban on the use of fireworks by the general public.

Every year dozens of people lose limbs and eyes in the New Year firework frenzy but ministers have refused to consider a ban, saying fireworks are part of the Dutch traditions.