Right-wing Liberal party VVD has published a string of proposals that it wants to see “implemented this year,” and which would require breaking open the coalition agreement.

The 42-page document, titled The Agenda for the working Netherlands, focuses on “backing the working middle class” and includes a series of proposals to help both families and employers.

The VVD, under the leadership of Dilan Yesilgöz, has been criticised by party stalwarts for joining a coalition involving the far-right PVV and for betraying what some see as liberal principles.

Now Yesilgöz has said she wants to see energy taxes reduced by a total of €750 million and to allocate €250 million more for working parents to pay for childcare. The coalition, she said at the launch on Wednesday morning, is showing too little ambition when it comes to helping working people.

The measures would be paid for by further cutting development aid to just above the OECD average, and breaking the link between welfare benefits and the minimum wage. Instead, welfare benefits would rise in line with inflation for at least two years.

The party also wants it enshrined in law that people in work always benefit more from higher wages than those who do not. This, Yesilgöz said, would mean that “working people are always number one and that working in the Netherlands is rewarded.”

In particular, the party wants to ensure that people who choose to work longer hours actually benefit from the additional income, rather than lose benefits and face higher taxes.

The VVD plans are being seen as the kick-off for the spring financial statement negotiations between the coalition parties.