Eight opposition parties in Almere jointly proposed changing next year's budget to provide €829,000 annually to reverse library cutbacks, €245,000 for enforcement checks and more than €400,000 once for cultural institutions facing funding shortfalls. They also want to retain a planned €395,000 saving on support for the municipal administration. The parties said the money could partly come from the €2 million the municipal executive plans to spend additionally on culture.

The coalition does not support the proposal in its current form, particularly how the opposition wants to finance it, but says it is willing to discuss separate plans on issues including the library, public toilets and animal welfare. The parties have one week to reach agreement before the city council votes on the budget and submitted proposals on 12 November.