The final weeks before the elections

25-05-2026 With just over a week to go until the parliamentary recess, the Dutch House of Representatives enters a unique phase. The agenda is packed and, due to the caretaker status of the government, the room for new policy is limited. After this comes the campaign period leading up to the elections. What can we still expect from the final weeks in Parliament?

Parliament in campaign mode
In the coming weeks, many debates will revolve not only around substance but also around the election campaign. MPs seize on current events or long-standing issues to make themselves visible one more time: sometimes on behalf of their party, sometimes with a personal priority – whether they are leaving politics or hoping to secure extra preference votes. As a result, substantive discussions often morph into mini-election debates. For organizations, it is crucial to recognize this dynamic: to seize opportunities but also to prevent surprises.

2023 as an example
The past shows that Parliament can still make far-reaching decisions in this phase. In 2023, during the very last (late-night) debate before recess, billions were shifted, including a cut in the expat tax scheme and a higher banking tax. A similar scenario is less likely this year, since budget negotiations for 2026 will only take place after the elections. Still, vigilance is needed: a motion passed at this stage can force the caretaker government to tighten policy, or at least trigger (negative) public attention.

Which themes will cause tension this year?
Since the real financial decisions will be taken later, the focus now is mainly on topical, campaign-sensitive issues. For the business community, this includes themes such as the future earning capacity of the Netherlands and debates on market regulation and consumer protection. MPs may still table motions on these issues, which will immediately be put to a vote.

Risks and opportunities
The remaining time until recess is short but influential. The risk is that files are unexpectedly affected by politically charged motions. At the same time, opportunities arise: those who closely follow debates in Parliament and beyond can already identify which themes will dominate the campaign and which MPs are positioning themselves as future portfolio holders. By spotting these faces and themes now, your organization can strategically position itself for the post-election period after October 29.