It will no longer be a tense affair. The three Christian parties and JA21 have already pledged to approve Minister Eppo Bruins’ budget in the Senate, now that part of the proposed cuts has been withdrawn.
The slow-progress penalty will not be introduced, and the reduction in funding for international students will be less severe than initially planned. However, several hundred million euros will still be cut, primarily from scientific research.
Not a mere formality
While the Senate will not block the budget, it also will not be approved without scrutiny. The education committee has decided to submit written questions on 21 January. Depending on the responses, there may still be a debate with the minister.
The VVD and PVV parties have already stated that they will not submit written questions, while BBB is taking a wait-and-see approach. NSC, which has no seats in the Senate, cannot participate in the questioning.
Debate or not, most senators prefer to move quickly and aim to vote on all budgets by February, provided the minister’s responses are satisfactory.
Volt has already raised objections. Senator Gaby Perin-Gopie criticised the lack of thorough deliberation on the education budget in parliament and insists on a debate with the minister, even if it means delaying the vote.
Last year
Last year, the education budget was only approved on 21 May, partly due to the fall of the previous cabinet. At the time, all factions supported the budget except the Partij voor de Dieren. This year, the situation will differ.
GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, SP, Volt and the Partij voor de Dieren plan to vote against it. The positions of 50Plus and the senator representing regional parties (OPNL) remain unclear. Regardless, the current cabinet is expected to secure a majority.
