The senate set the stage for a string of conflicts with the new government during its debate on the coalition agreement on Tuesday evening.

In particular, senators said they would block the government’s tax reform plans unless the increase in value added tax on theatre tickets is scrapped.
The government controls 35 of the 75 seats in the upper house and Geert Wilder’s PVV is not represented, meaning the senate can refuse to pass bills.
‘Everyone who thinks the cabinet’s plans will sail through the senate may be disappointed from time to time,’ said D66 senator Hans Engels.
No surprise
During the debate, prime minister Mark Rutte said he is well aware the government does not have a majority in the upper house. ‘If we start governing in an autistic way, we should not be surprised if our support is limited to 35 seats,’ the prime minister was quoted as saying.
The senate’s main roles is to scrutinise legislation but it can formally only accept or reject it. Amendments must be made by the lower house.
Last week, senators ordered the cabinet to outline its standpoint on mortgage tax relief. A majority of senators want the current system overhauled.
Earlier in the debate, senators from the two governing parties – VVD and CDA – were highly critical of the coalition agreement, saying it is ‘populist’, Elsevier magazine reported.
And according to a poll for tv current affairs programme Nieuwsuur, at least half the CDA and VVD senators will vote in line with their own views rather than the government’s.
Senators will vote on the theatre tax motion and a number of others next week, Nos tv reports.