MPs will vote next week on draft legislation that will make “gay conversion therapy” a crime, and there may now be a majority in favour of the plan.

The NSC, Christian Democrats and BBB were opposed to the ban but are now more positive because of changes in the draft legislation, broadcaster NOS said on Wednesday.

Conversion therapy involves forcing people who are gay or transgender to undergo treatment to change their sexuality. This is often a problem in orthodox Christian circles, where homosexuality is seen as an illness.

GroenLinks/PvdA, VVD, D66, the SP and pro-animal PvdD have been campaigning for a ban since 2022, but need one of these three parties for a majority in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.

The legislation has now been amended to make it clear that only long-lasting, persistent and systematic “therapy” will be considered a criminal offence, rather than a simple conversation with social workers.