The coalition and opposition parties have reached a compromise on the education budget, alleviating concerns among stakeholders. The agreement reverses approximately 750 million euros in planned cuts.
Government parties PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB, along with opposition parties CDA, ChristenUnie, SGP, and JA21, finalized this deal last night after extensive talks. The agreement includes eliminating the ‘long-term study penalty’, maintaining social service time, and reversing regional higher education cuts, funded by savings from medical specialists, ministerial ‘apparatus costs’, and the student public transport card.
Opposition parties emphasize their input in the talks but remain noncommittal about future cooperation. CDA leader Bontenbal insists that his party is not offering support to a cabinet with PVV, stating their role is to amend poor budgets without providing implicit support.
ChristenUnie’s Bikker echoed this sentiment, stressing their objective of improving the budget and opposing plans conflicting with their values. PVV leader Wilders expressed gratitude for the opposition’s support, acknowledging the budget’s improved prospects in the Senate.
Source: NOS