Dutch MPs have voted by the narrowest possible margin against an EU plan to increase defence spending by €800 billion, once again highlighting divisions within the cabinet at a time of crisis.

The motion, which is not binding on ministers and was drawn up by the one-man party JA21, was backed by three of the four coalition parties, but not the VVD. MPs voted 73 to 71 in favour of the move, including the Socialists and fundamentalist Protestant SGP.

The defence plan ReArm Europe, presented last week by Ursula von der Leyen, would be financed by a relaxation of the EU’s strict fiscal policy and Eurobonds.

The plan includes a €150 billion loan scheme secured against unused funds in the EU budget, plus more flexibility in the EU’s fiscal rules that could unlock €650 billion in new spending. Details still need to be worked out.

NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt, whose 20-strong group of MPs voted for the motion, said his party understood the need for more investment in defence. However, he said he was against any relaxation of the European rules on debt. “A new debt crisis would be a disaster,” he told MPs.

But D66 leader Rob Jetten said the three coalition parties were further isolating the Netherlands. “At times of crisis, when all of Europe is taking action to protect our continent, the Netherlands goes against the rest,” he said. “Even Hungary is in favour.”

GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans said the vote again showed how rudderless the cabinet is. “The PVV, BBB and NSC are irresponsible to say ‘no’ to the European plan to defend us against Putin,” he said.

It is now up to ministers to decide whether or not to accept the vote. “The difference between the Netherlands and other EU countries is notable,” RTL correspondent Fons Lambie said. “The mood in Paris, Berlin and other EU capitals is very different.”

France is organising a European summit next week to discuss further defence cooperation.

Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof said last week when the plan was first presented that it could be done without playing around with European budgetary rules. “There is room to make exceptions within the current fiscal rules,” he told reporters.

The far-right PVV and pro-countryside BBB have both said they do not support the Dutch decision to allocate a further €3.5 billion to Ukraine either, and want the measure to be part of the ongoing negotiations on the government’s spring financial statement.