Geert Wilders on Education Budget Negotiations: 'I had hoped for a breakthrough, but it hasn't happened yet'
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World
December 5, 2024 00:30
den haag - After another round of brief discussions, the coalition and 'the monster alliance' have not reached a deal on the education budget yet. Talks will continue on Thursday morning.
Following a short meeting, the coalition and opposition parties have not yet reached an agreement on the education budget. Geert Wilders of the PVV expressed disappointment stating, 'It's not progressing as quickly as hoped.' This delays the possibility of reaching an agreement before the vote in the Second Chamber on Thursday afternoon. The Senate is scheduled to discuss the budget on December 17, but that may also be jeopardized if no resolution is reached on Thursday morning. Wilders acknowledged, 'The vote is approaching, so it's becoming more challenging. I had hoped for a breakthrough, but it hasn't happened yet.'
The coalition parties considered their second offer as final, but opposition parties believe further negotiations are necessary. D66 leader Rob Jetten remarked, 'There is still a lot of work to be done.' Both Chris Stoffer (SGP) and Henri Bontenbal (CDA) indicated progress was made.
How to cover the increasing costs remains unclear as discussions on funding have not yet begun. With nine parties at the table, time is running out, making it a complex puzzle. Sources told De Telegraaf that the coalition wants an agreement on the reduced budget cuts before discussing funding with the opposition.
The coalition's revised offer includes the removal of the extended study fines, the reintroduction of compulsory community service, an additional 100 million euros for science, and reduced budget cuts for teachers in the Randstad region. The proposal is part of the total 2 billion euros in education budget cuts, with the monster alliance calling for the cancellation of 1.3 billion euros in reductions.
On Thursday morning, opposition parties D66, CDA, CU, SGP, and JA21, self-dubbed the monster alliance, will continue talks with coalition leaders. Notably, the NSC representative Nicolien van Vroonhoven was absent from the Wednesday evening meeting due to a private commitment, without a replacement from the party.