Jetten’s Budget Scandal: The €200 Billion Climate vs. €25 Billion Nitrogen War Explained

The Hague – The fragile formation of a new Dutch cabinet under prospective Prime Minister Rob Jetten has been rocked by a seismic political event. A leaked internal document detailing the “Extra Spending Priorities” (Extra Uitgaven) for 2026-2030 has triggered a national firestorm, uniting farmers, social activists, and opposition parties in a rare moment of collective fury.

The numbers are staggering and, to many, symbolic of a government completely disconnected from reality. The leaked framework proposes locking in a historic €200 billion for climate goals, while allocating €25 billion to the “Nitrogen Fund”—a move interpreted by the agricultural sector as a war chest to wipe them off the map. Meanwhile, critical issues like the asylum crisis, elderly care, and defense appear to be fighting for scraps. #KabinetJetten is trending with vitriol, and the polls are reacting instantly.

In this exclusive deep dive, The Dutch Daily breaks down the leaked numbers, the societal anger behind the viral tweets, and why this specific document might force the Netherlands back to the voting booths.

Table of Contents

• The Anatomy of the Leak: The Numbers That Shocked the Nation
• The €200 Billion Fortress: Vision or Delusion?
• The €25 Billion Nitrogen War: “Buying Out the Soul of NL”
• The Viral Reaction: “You Pay, You Drop Dead”
• The Political Fallout: Jetten’s Leadership in Question
• Key Takeaways
• Dutch Learning Corner

The Anatomy of the Leak: The Numbers That Shocked the Nation

The leaked screenshot, seemingly taken from a presentation within the negotiation rooms of the VVD-D66-CDA formation talks, reveals a stark hierarchy of values. It is not just about how much money is spent, but where the emphasis lies.

The €200 Billion Fortress: Vision or Delusion?

For Rob Jetten and D66, the €200 billion Climate Fund is the crown jewel. It represents a generational shift to completely decarbonize the Dutch economy by 2040. The money is intended for upgrading the power grid (which is currently full), subsidizing industrial hydrogen, and insulating millions of homes.

The Criticism: However, to the average citizen struggling with grocery prices, this number feels insulting. The perception is that the government has “infinite money” for abstract green goals, but empty pockets when it comes to lowering the price of bread or reducing healthcare premiums. Populist leaders are framing this as: “They care more about the temperature in 2050 than your ability to heat your home in 2026.”

The €25 Billion Nitrogen War: “Buying Out the Soul of NL”

Perhaps even more explosive than the climate budget is the €25 billion allocated to the Nitrogen Fund (Stikstoffonds). This touches the rawest nerve in Dutch society: the farmers.

For years, the “Nitrogen Crisis” has paralyzed construction and angered the rural provinces. The government’s plan is to reduce nitrogen emissions by significantly reducing the number of livestock.

• The Government View: This money is a generous “transition fund” to help farmers innovate or retire with dignity.
• The Farmer View (BBB/FDF): Farmers view this €25 billion as “severance pay” for their own execution. They argue the money will be used to enforce mandatory buyouts (gedwongen uitkoop), effectively seizing land and destroying centuries-old family businesses.

This budget line confirms the fears of the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB): that the Jetten cabinet intends to solve the crisis not by innovation, but by elimination.

The Viral Reaction: “You Pay, You Drop Dead”

The anger is best summarized by the tweet that is currently dominating Dutch timelines. It captures the essence of the “forgotten citizen” sentiment:

“Kabinet Jetten: 200 MILJARD naar klimaat-waanzin, 5 MILJARD naar asielzoekers & 25 MILJARD om de boeren KAPOT te maken! Jij mag betalen maar verder mag je BARSTEN! Doe een ❤️ & RT als je WALGT van Jetten!”

(Translation: Cabinet Jetten: 200 BILLION to climate madness, 5 BILLION to asylum seekers & 25 BILLION to DESTROY the farmers! You get to pay but otherwise you can DROP DEAD! Like & RT if you are DISGUSTED by Jetten!)

The use of the word “Barsten” (literally: to crack/burst, but figuratively meaning “drop dead” or “get lost”) highlights the deep resentment. Voters feel they are merely the ATM for a government obsessed with international treaties rather than national well-being.

The Political Fallout: Jetten’s Leadership in Question

This leak has done catastrophic damage to the image of the proposed “Minority Cabinet.”

1. The Left is Alienated: By capping asylum funding at €5 million, Jetten has angered his potential partners in GL-PvdA, who see this as inhumane given the overcrowding at Ter Apel.

2. The Right is Mobilized: The €200 billion climate price tag has given ample ammunition to Geert Wilders (PVV) and Caroline van der Plas (BBB), who are now rallying their bases against “Jetten’s Billions.”

In the latest polls, D66 has already dropped 4 seats. If Jetten cannot explain this budget disparity by the Friday deadline, the VVD may pull the plug on the negotiations to save their own falling poll numbers, potentially leading to new elections in the spring.

Key Takeaways

• The Ratio of Rage: The disparity between €200bn (Climate) and €7bn (Elderly) is the main driver of public anger.
• Farmer Fury: The €25bn Nitrogen Fund is seen as a tool for “forced expropriation” rather than support.
• Fragile Coalition: This leak exposes that the VVD-D66-CDA alliance is ideologically incoherent and struggling to survive.
• Expat Impact: Political instability usually means delays in housing laws and tax reforms (like the 30% ruling), creating uncertainty for international residents.

Dutch Learning Corner