Delegates from the political parties GroenLinks and the PvdA have cast their votes in favor of including the abolition of the monarchy in their joint manifesto for the upcoming general election in

November.

During the joint party conference held in Rotterdam on Saturday, approximately 52% of the delegates endorsed the motion to establish a parliamentary republic, while 42% voted against it.

Proponents of the motion argue that the monarchy and the concept of hereditary succession are outdated remnants of the past, contributing to inequality and incurring substantial expenses. The Dutch royal house is allocated a budget of around €55 million for the upcoming year, positioning it as one of the costliest monarchies in Europe.

The current joint manifesto already contains a commitment to limiting the monarch's role to ceremonial duties and ensuring their tax contributions. However, this recent vote signifies a more profound transformation.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that the likelihood of the Dutch monarchy being abolished remains a distant prospect and would necessitate a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Support for the monarchy has experienced a decline in the Netherlands in recent years. A survey assessing the popularity of the royal family last month revealed that the king received a rating of 6.6 out of 10, while Queen Maxima earned a score of 7.1, representing a slight decrease from the previous year.

Approximately 50% of the general population still expresses support for the monarchy, but 26% of respondents favor the transformation of the Netherlands into a republic. Notably, among individuals under the age of 35, nearly four in 10 favor the monarchy, while 34% identify themselves as republicans.