Political Youth call on cabinet not to abolish dividend tax

Political Youth Organisations today published a statement calling on the government to keep the dividend tax in place. By doing so, the young people hope to further increase pressure on the cabinet not to implement the controversial measure. The statement was signed by the Young Democrats (D66), DWARS (GroenLinks), RED (SP), Young Socialists (PvdA), PerspectieF (Christian Union), Pink! (PvdD) and Opposition (DENK).

The statement reads as follows:

"We, Dutch Political Youth Organisations,

Noting that the government wants to abolish dividend tax, even though this was not in any election manifesto. This intention has been widely criticised. Indeed, the cost of this measure could reach EUR 2 billion, money that could be better spent. The government argues that this measure significantly improves the business climate. However, no evidence for this can be provided, and many economists consider this argument weak. There is also criticism of the measure within the ranks of the coalition parties. For us as political youth organisations, it is therefore incomprehensible that the dividend tax is being abolished.

We therefore call on the government not to abolish dividend tax."

Most political youth organisations support their parent parties in opposition with this call, but young people from D66 and Christian Union have also signed the call.

Dennis van Driel (Young Democrats) stressed the international aspect: "We think abolishing the dividend tax is absurd. It is much better to make agreements on this in a European context. That way you avoid Dutch tax money being thrown away."

Julia Matser (DWARS) concurs: "The prime minister seems to be the only person keen on the measure, and even he calls it a terribly annoying measure. It is time for the cabinet to start listening to the people, not lobbyists from big companies."

Lisa de Leeuw (ROOD) is also worried: "People all over the country need to take to the streets for change, but this cabinet has no money for anyone. This cabinet chooses instead to give 2 billion a year as a gift to foreign investors. Prime Minister Rutte is not there for the people, but the multinationals."

Twan Wilmes (JS) also sees nothing in the measure: "While teachers, policemen and healthcare workers have to beg for a small pay rise, Rutte chooses the multinationals. This cabinet is clearly in it for the foreign investors and not for the Dutch who work every day for our safety, for good education, and for the best care.

Alex Uiterwijk (Pink) does not understand why the plan is being implemented: "Even as the entire public debate is turning against the abolition of the dividend tax, Rutte continues to defend Unilever and Shell's flagship company. Multinationals rule the Netherlands. Now let's hope it won't be the same at the climate tables."

Achraf Chouhabi from Opposition (DENK) is not lenient on the prime minister: "Mark Rutte is making his cronies from Shell and Unilever richer by the day, this while student loans are being abolished and, as icing on the cake, interest rates for the loan system are being increased. Thanks Mark, your cronies will surely need our tax money more."