Coalition and opposition reach agreement on education budget

The coalition parties have reached an agreement with four opposition parties on weakening the planned education cuts. After weeks of discussions, they also agreed on alternative cuts to other ministries to pay for the relaxations.

This means that there is almost certainly a majority in favor of the government’s plans in the Senate. Details of the deal are not yet known.

Last week, PVV, VVD, NSC, BBB, CDA, SGP, ChristenUnie and JA21 agreed on removing approximately 700 million euros from the intended two billion euros in cuts to education. It was agreed, among other things, that the late student fine will not be introduced and that the social service period will continue to exist.

Negotiations about financial coverage have taken place in recent days. These conversations were initially very difficult. CDA leader Bontenbal said yesterday that today it would be “make or break”. According to insiders, the coalition parties made a new offer this morning, which was more popular with the opposition parties.

Now that an agreement has been reached, the House of Representatives could vote tomorrow on all budgets of the Schoof cabinet for 2025. After that, the Senate must also approve the plans. The cabinet does not have an automatic majority there, but the deal with the four opposition parties has now almost certainly resolved that problem.