The far-right PVV has come under fire in parliament for not supporting a motion to scrap the own-risk element in healthcare, even though this was included in the party’s election manifesto.

The PVV is currently in talks with three other right-wing parties on forming a new coalition government, and two of the four – the VVD and NSC – want to keep the own risk payment.

“I cannot move ahead of the rest,” PVV MP Fleur Agema said during the debate on the health ministry’s 2024 spending plans. The party’s aim remains to get rid of the charge, she said. “We will try to organise it in the coalition talks.”

There is majority support in parliament for scrapping the €385 own risk payment because, critics say, the high cost is leading some people to avoid seeking help. The outgoing government is opposed, saying the move would cost €6 billion per year.

GroenLinks-PvdA and the Socialist party slammed the PVV for failing sign up to their motions, calling the party cowardly. “You had the key and you slammed the door shut,” MP Julian Bushoff said.

Talks

Talks on forming a new coalition government continued on Wednesday and the mood remains good, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz told reporters.

Yesilgöz was also asked about a message posted by Wilders on social media on Wednesday, which slammed the VVD for supporting new legislation to spread refugees over the country.

“We are not made of sugar, and Mr Wilders can twitter what he wants,” she said.