Morning coverage lingered on the economy's unexpected strength, with ABN Amro reporting 52% higher third-quarter profit and papers linking record productivity growth to a shorter working week.
Attention then returned to Thursday's tax-plan vote, described as make-or-break for the minority cabinet after days without a majority. Around midday D66 and CDA announced an agreement with Pro and Volt to secure support in exchange for about âŹ1 billion in higher levies on wealth, framed as a diluted millionaires tax, struck without coalition partner VVD. The VVD stayed silent for hours before holding emergency talks, after which leader Yesilgoz said her party had been blindsided and warned cooperation was uncertain if the amendment passed. D66 and CDA refused to renegotiate, leaving the cabinet's future open the night before the vote.