The leaders of the CDA, SGP, and ChristenUnie opposition parties have warned the coalition government that they are becoming less inclined to cooperate with ministers.

The three parties had offered the cabinet a way forward on two key policy issues—education and value-added tax increases—by pledging their support in the senate, where the coalition lacks a majority.

The first agreement focused on education, with the cabinet agreeing to scale back planned budget cuts in exchange for opposition backing. The second, reached in November, reversed planned VAT increases on sports, books, and cultural activities.

The government has yet to provide financial backing for these compromises and last week, tax minister Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen presented parliament with a list of options, saying it was up to MPs to decide—a move that frustrated the CDA, SGP, and ChristenUnie.

“I thought these parties would be professional about their work,” said CDA leader Henri Bontenbal. “But I see nothing but amateurism. How long can this go on for?”

Both Bontenbal and ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker say the cabinet is unwilling to accept criticism or make improvements. “That makes things complicated and is worrying,” Bikker said.

Nieuwsuur correspondent Arjan Noorlander noted that the coalition is rapidly losing the goodwill of what he called the “constructive opposition.”

This could pose challenges for other contentious issues, including the spring financial statement, migration, housing, and nitrogen policy, he said. “The cabinet needs the opposition for all these issues because they simply don’t have control of the senate,” he pointed out.

Refugees

The three parties have already stated they will not support legislation to curb the number of refugees drafted by minister Marjolein Faber, who has refused to make amendments despite warnings from the Council of State.

During Thursday’s debate, Faber frustrated MPs across the political spectrum by refusing to discuss possible changes, stating, “I have said what I have got to say, and you’ll have to make do with that.”

SGP leader Chris Stoffer said that 5% to 10% of the plans need to be revised. Ministers, he argued, should spend less time on Twitter and instead “focus on finding a constructive way to do their best for the Netherlands.”