Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has decided to forgo attending the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, in order to concentrate on securing parliamentary support for his government’s tax plan. Originally slated to attend the climate conference on November 11, Jetten will instead remain in the Netherlands as the Tweede Kamer, the Dutch House of Representatives, prepares to vote on the tax proposal this Thursday.
The tax plan faces an uncertain future, with the government lacking majority backing in the lower house, and support in the Senate also hanging in the balance. Jetten’s presence in the Netherlands is deemed crucial as he engages in discussions with ministers, trade unions, and business organizations in The Hague to rally the necessary support.
The COP31 summit, set to take place from November 9 to November 20, gathers world leaders to address pressing global climate issues. While Jetten’s absence from the summit is notable, his decision underscores the significance of the domestic political landscape and the challenges faced in advancing the tax plan.