Christian Democrat leader Henri Bontenbal has called for the number of motions put before parliament to be halved by restricting parties to two per debate.

Bontenbal said parliamentary motions were becoming a “blunt” instrument, with parties using them to score points on social media rather than make real changes to laws.

He was particularly critical of motions that were not costed or went into unnecessary detail. “They’re often used just to show their voters: look what a good job we’re doing,” Bontenbal told NOS.

Under the CDA’s plan, parties would also be limited to 150 motions per year plus the number of seats they hold. The PVV would be entitled to lay 187 motions before parliament, while JA21, the smallest party, would be capped at 151.

Around 5,000 motions were put to MPs in 2022, twice as many as in 2012. Half of them were rejected.

The most significant motions are those which are passed by MPs despite being opposed by the cabinet, which usually has a majority in parliament. In 2022 around 100 votes went against the government.

Bontenbal admitted that his own party, which tabled around 300 motions in 2022, needed to show more restraint. “Practise what you preach,” he said.