A majority of senators oppose the government’s plan to merge the provinces of Flevoland, Noord-Holland and Utrecht into a single area.

Home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk wants to complete the merger by 2016 but senators are backing a motion from the Christian Democrats calling for the project to be put on hold.

The CDA says the ‘usefulness, necessity and democratic desirability’ of the project need to be analysed further. The vote on the motion will take place next Tuesday.

The government’s coalition agreement includes a reduction in the number of provinces making up the Netherlands from 12 to five. Ministers think the idea will cuts costs and red tape. The provincial authorities themselves also oppose the plan.