Dutch coalition party ChristenUnie has said it wants ‘guarantees’ from the cabinet about the Ceta trade treaty between the EU and Canada before it can commit to voting in favour.

Dutch MPs last Wednesday held a long debate on the treaty, and it is still touch and go as to whether the lower house will vote to ratify it next week. ChristenUnie MP Joel Voordewind said during the debate that his party is confronted with a major dilemma. When Ceta was first finalised in 2016, his party was in opposition and against it.

Now, as part of the government, there have been some improvements but many of the party’s objections are still in force, Voordewind said.