The right-wing VVD’s financial situation has become so serious that the party leadership is considering requiring its elected officials to donate part of their salary to the party, the Volkskrant reported at the weekend.

In a letter and financial report sent to members, the party board warned that “the continuity of our party is under pressure.”

The VVD’s income has dropped sharply as the number of parliamentary seats has fallen from 41 in 2012 to just 22 now. Government funding for political parties is partly based on the number of MPs. Membership is also declining, down to around 21,000 in 2024 — a fall of 7%.

Last year, the VVD recorded a deficit of more than €1.3 million. Despite cost-cutting measures another loss of nearly €1 million is expected this year, the Volkskrant said. The board said further savings would be difficult, point out that “even the traditional Prinsjesdag [budget day] drinks have been scrapped.”

Under a proposal now being discussed, all 1,450 elected VVD representatives — MPs, councillors, aldermen and ministers — would have to contribute 3.5% of their salary to the party. That would raise around €2 million annually.

The board acknowledged that the plan “does not really fit with the liberal principle of freedom and personal responsibility,” but said similar measures have long existed in other parties.

Salary deductions range from 3% at the CDA and 6% at D66 to 10% at the ChristenUnie and up to 13% at GroenLinks-PvdA. SP politicians contribute between 48% and 75% of their income.

According to party figures, a VVD executive in a medium-sized municipality would have to contribute around €4,300 gross per year, equivalent to €2,800 after tax deductions. For a minister, the contribution would be about €6,600 gross.

The proposal will be discussed later this month at a meeting of party officials and put to a vote at the VVD members’ congress in December.