Dutch lawmakers set to discuss requesting King pay income tax

Lawmakers in the Netherlands are set to begin discussing whether or not the King, Willem-Alexander, and his family should begin paying income tax.

Politicians will vote on 23 January in the first steps in requesting the Royal Family pay taxes. The motion will ask the government to propose a constitutional change; it only requires a majority to pass. However, the actual constitutional change will require the support of two-thirds of both houses (Senate and House of Representatives/States General) of the Dutch parliament.

During a debate, a left-wing politician from Socialistische Partij, Sandra Beckerman said: “A blue envelope for blue blood.”

Beckerman alluded to how tax letters in the Netherlands are sent in blue envelopes.

The proposal has support needed in the States General but the thoughts of the Senate are still unknown.

Outgoing Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, is not in favour of the change, but right-wing politician, Geert Wilders, whose party has the majority in the States General, supports the change.