The government’ audit office has criticised the caretaker cabinet’s spending plans for 2026, saying they paint too rosy a picture of the state’s finances. In particular, billions of euros in savings included in the budget are not supported by facts, the audit office said in its review of the outgoing administration’s 2026 financial planning. For example, the government has projected spending on asylum to fall from €4 billion in 2026 to just €1 billion in 2027. The audit office also highlighted cuts in the Netherlands’ annual contribution to the EU, put at €1.6 billion by the outgoing administration. “That creates uncertainty for citizens, businesses and public bodies, and undermines confidence in government,” the audit office said.