⌨The Spring Budget Note dominated morning headlines, revealing delayed childcare plans, wealth tax increases, and university funding cuts following the coalition's 25-hour negotiations. Finance Minister Heinen emerged as the winner, while education faced significant losses, with only 1 in 10 voters believing the agreement would improve the country.
By afternoon, traffic jams formed as Easter weekend began, and the NATO summit cost nearly doubled to €183 million. Finance Minister Heinen warned of an upcoming recession.
The evening was dramatically overshadowed by NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt's sudden departure from politics, citing health concerns. The announcement stunned even his own party members, effectively ending his political career after a period of declining public trust. This unexpected exit creates a significant power vacuum in the still-forming coalition government, which had just completed its contentious budget negotiations.