A total ban on consumer fireworks could become a reality in the Netherlands now that the right-wing Liberal VVD has done a U-turn and joined the anti-firework camp.

For years, the VVD has resisted a nationwide ban, but the party’s 24 MPs are now in favour of a GroenLinks-PvdA motion to bring in change, RTL Nieuws reported on Thursday.

The VVD has drawn up a number of conditions for their support. In particular, they want to make sure the police and local authorities enforce the law and that the authorities increase their efforts to crack down on illegal fireworks.

And cities such as Amsterdam, which have already brought in a ban, should do all they can to ensure it is complied with. Although 19 cities have introduced firework bans already, they are largely ignored.

The Liberals are also calling for “fair and decent” compensation for sellers who will lose income when the ban is enacted. Last year, consumers were estimated to have spent €118 million on fireworks during the three-day window when sales were sanctioned.

City officials say a local ban has no chance of success as long as the government does nothing to stop the sale of fireworks.

The draft legislation is due to be debated in parliament next week. So far, 74 MPs are in favour of the ban, while the far right and socialists are opposed. Denk and the coalition party NSC have not yet made their positions public.

GroenLinks-PvdA MP Jesse Klaver, who helped draw up the draft legislation, said that the chaos caused during the New Year celebrations has to stop. “Eye specialists, the emergency services, animal protection groups, councillors, and all sorts of other people have spoken out,” he said. “Now it seems as if politicians are finally listening.”

A VVD source told RTL that the continuing attacks on police and emergency service workers had helped prompt the rethink. Last year, 295 police officers and 49 ambulance crew and fire officers were targeted during the festivities.

As yet, no date has been set for a possible ban to be introduced. Justice Minister David van Weel, who represents the VVD in the cabinet, told RTL earlier that he was willing to talk about a total ban. “But it is not the holy grail,” he said. “It won’t solve all the problems.”

A survey by Ipsos at the end of last year revealed that 57% of the population would vote in favor of a ban in a referendum. Some 60% of people taking part in the RTL panel said they backed a ban, as did 64% of people taking part in the EenVandaag survey.