Amsterdam, 14 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The Netherlands will not guarantee its unconditional approval of the European Union's planned multi-billion-euro rearmament package, Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday.

When it comes to taking out joint loans and greatly relaxing the budget rules, the country will not agree should this become necessary, Schoof said in The Hague. 

Last week, he agreed to the €800 billion ($652 billion) EU plan in Brussels, but was then rebuffed by three coalition parties.

In a subsequent crisis meeting, Schoof and the party leaders agreed to a compromise. 

The main point of criticism is the planned financing of rearmament through joint loans and an increase in national debt.

The Netherlands now intends to take a "constructive stance" in the EU negotiations, Schoof said. However, the government reserves the right to reject parts of the package or to abstain from voting. 

Debt must remain limited and financial stability must not be jeopardized, according to a letter from the government to parliament. 

Legislators had rejected the EU defence plan by a narrow majority with votes from the governing parties. The right-wing populist Geert Wilders, parliamentary group leader of the largest governing party, demanded that the non-partisan Schoof withdraw his approval in Brussels.

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